Big blow to Uddhav, EC gives Sena’s name & symbol to Shinde faction

In its final order on the Sena feud on Friday, EC ruled that the Thackeray faction may retain the name ‘Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and symbol ‘flaming torch’ – allotted to it as part of an interim EC order -- till the completion of the ongoing bypolls to Chinchwad and Kasba Peth assembly seats in Maharashtra. Thereafter, it can decide whether to retain the same poll symbol or opt for another ‘free’ poll symbol for future elections, a senior EC functionary told TOI.