Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Ambedkar Says Frozen Shiv Sena Symbol Could Benefit BJP
Prakash Ambedkar said the BJP could gain from the dispute over the Shiv Sena’s election symbol.
The symbol is called the “bow and arrow.”
Two groups are claiming to represent the Shiv Sena, one led by Uddhav Thackeray and the other by Eknath Shinde.
Ambedkar said the symbol might be frozen while the dispute is decided.
He believes lawmakers from both groups might then join the BJP.
He said both Sena groups could face difficulties without the symbol.
Ambedkar also questioned whether the Election Commission has the legal power to settle such party disputes.
The Supreme Court is hearing issues connected to the dispute.
He said the Election Commission may not have been careful enough when it gave the symbol to Shinde’s group.
VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar said the BJP would benefit if Shiv Sena’s “bow and arrow” symbol were frozen.
He predicted MPs and MLAs from both Uddhav Thackeray’s and Eknath Shinde’s Sena factions could join the BJP.
Ambedkar said freezing the symbol would create major organisational and electoral challenges for both factions.
He questioned whether the Election Commission has authority to resolve internal disputes within political parties.
Ambedkar also argued that the Election Commission did not exercise sufficient caution in awarding the symbol to Shinde’s group.
- Who
- Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the Eknath Shinde-led Sena, the BJP, the Election Commission and the Supreme Court.
- What
- Ambedkar said freezing the Shiv Sena’s “bow and arrow” symbol could prompt lawmakers from both Sena factions to join the BJP, and he questioned the Election Commission’s authority and handling of the dispute.
- When
- Friday, according to the report; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- At a press conference in Akola.
- Why
- Ambedkar said both factions could face organisational and electoral-symbol challenges if the symbol were frozen, while the BJP could benefit politically.
Ambedkar’s Criticism
Dispute-Resolution Position
Potential political impact
Ambedkar’s Criticism
Prakash Ambedkar said freezing the symbol could cause lawmakers from both Sena factions to move to the BJP, benefiting the BJP.
Dispute-Resolution Position
The article does not provide a direct response from the BJP, the two Sena factions or another party defending the decision.
Election Commission authority
Ambedkar’s Criticism
Ambedkar questioned whether the Election Commission has the authority to resolve internal disputes between political parties, arguing that political parties became independent legal entities after Section 29(A) was added in 1989.
Dispute-Resolution Position
The Election Commission awarded the “bow and arrow” symbol to Eknath Shinde’s group, but the article does not include the commission’s explanation or defense of its jurisdiction.
Awarding the symbol
Ambedkar’s Criticism
Ambedkar said the Election Commission did not exercise sufficient caution when awarding the symbol to Shinde’s group and that the Supreme Court hearing has raised questions about the decision.
Dispute-Resolution Position
The article reports the award and the ongoing Supreme Court hearing but gives no response from Eknath Shinde’s faction or the Election Commission.
- Speaker
- Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar, chief of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi
- Disputed symbol
- The Shiv Sena’s “bow and arrow” election symbol
- Political factions
- The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and the Eknath Shinde-led Sena
- Predicted consequence
- Ambedkar said MPs and MLAs from both factions may join the BJP if the symbol is frozen.
- Legal issue
- Ambedkar questioned whether the Election Commission can resolve internal disputes within political parties.
- Court involvement
- The Supreme Court is hearing the dispute and has raised questions about the Election Commission’s decision, according to Ambedkar.
- Relevant law
- Ambedkar referred to Section 29(A) of the Representation of the People Act, which was included in 1989.