<p>After getting hold of the Shiv Sena party name and the iconic 'bow and arrow' symbol, Maharashtra CM Ekanth Shinde is now eyeing party <em>shakhas</em> (local party offices), which are considered integral to the party’s organisational structure since its inception.</p>.<p>Shinde has clarified that he will not claim ownership of Shiv Sena Bhawan, the party’s head office in Dadar. However, the fight for <em>shakhas</em> between the two warring factions will gain momentum in the coming days, as per a <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtra-cm-eknath-shinde-gives-up-on-sena-hq-but-tussle-to-control-shakhas-set-to-intensify/articleshow/98054054.cms" target="_blank">report</a> in <em>The Times of India.</em></p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/sc-ec-developments-throw-up-questions-on-shiv-sena-and-the-fate-of-uddhav-thackeray-1192667.html" target="_blank">SC, EC developments throw up questions on Shiv Sena and the fate of Uddhav Thackeray</a></strong></p>.<p>Expressing confidence about taking possession of <em>shakhas</em>, Shinde faction’s leaders repeatedly said that <em>shakha pramukhs </em>(head of offices) will back CM Shinde from now and replace Uddhav and Aditya’s photos with that of Eknath Shinde, Bal Thackeray and Anand Dighe.</p>.<p>Refuting these claims made by the Shinde faction, Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, "Shiv Sena Bhavan and our <em>shakhas</em> will not be taken over by the Shinde faction just because of the EC's order. Our Shiv Sainiks will sit there and that place will serve as a branch of Shiv Sena. The party is not going anywhere because a few people sitting on the chair made a decision. Sena <em>shakhas</em>, including Shiv Sena Bhavan, will stay with us".</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/rival-sena-factions-come-face-to-face-shout-slogans-1192639.html" target="_blank">Rival Sena factions come face to face, shout slogans</a></strong></p>.<p>Mumbai, which is considered a Sena’s stronghold, has 227 <em>shakhas</em> and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has over 500. They are mostly owned by the <em>shakha pramukhs</em>, local leaders and trusts. </p>.<p>So far, only a few <em>shakha pramukhs</em> have left the Uddhav camp. Last year, the Shinde group opened its first <em>shakha</em> in Mumbai, which was inaugurated by Sena MP Rahul Shewale. During the event, the MP had said that the Shinde Sena would soon open <em>shakhas</em> all over Mumbai, but six months later, the lone Mumbai shakha of the Shinde faction remains.</p>.<p>Along with the legal battle in the Supreme Court, Shinde and Thackeray supporters are fighting a battle on the streets to prove their dominance. Though the symbol and party belong to Shinde, voters’ preference between these two will determine who owns the 'real' Shiv Sena.</p>
<p>After getting hold of the Shiv Sena party name and the iconic 'bow and arrow' symbol, Maharashtra CM Ekanth Shinde is now eyeing party <em>shakhas</em> (local party offices), which are considered integral to the party’s organisational structure since its inception.</p>.<p>Shinde has clarified that he will not claim ownership of Shiv Sena Bhawan, the party’s head office in Dadar. However, the fight for <em>shakhas</em> between the two warring factions will gain momentum in the coming days, as per a <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtra-cm-eknath-shinde-gives-up-on-sena-hq-but-tussle-to-control-shakhas-set-to-intensify/articleshow/98054054.cms" target="_blank">report</a> in <em>The Times of India.</em></p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/sc-ec-developments-throw-up-questions-on-shiv-sena-and-the-fate-of-uddhav-thackeray-1192667.html" target="_blank">SC, EC developments throw up questions on Shiv Sena and the fate of Uddhav Thackeray</a></strong></p>.<p>Expressing confidence about taking possession of <em>shakhas</em>, Shinde faction’s leaders repeatedly said that <em>shakha pramukhs </em>(head of offices) will back CM Shinde from now and replace Uddhav and Aditya’s photos with that of Eknath Shinde, Bal Thackeray and Anand Dighe.</p>.<p>Refuting these claims made by the Shinde faction, Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, "Shiv Sena Bhavan and our <em>shakhas</em> will not be taken over by the Shinde faction just because of the EC's order. Our Shiv Sainiks will sit there and that place will serve as a branch of Shiv Sena. The party is not going anywhere because a few people sitting on the chair made a decision. Sena <em>shakhas</em>, including Shiv Sena Bhavan, will stay with us".</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/rival-sena-factions-come-face-to-face-shout-slogans-1192639.html" target="_blank">Rival Sena factions come face to face, shout slogans</a></strong></p>.<p>Mumbai, which is considered a Sena’s stronghold, has 227 <em>shakhas</em> and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has over 500. They are mostly owned by the <em>shakha pramukhs</em>, local leaders and trusts. </p>.<p>So far, only a few <em>shakha pramukhs</em> have left the Uddhav camp. Last year, the Shinde group opened its first <em>shakha</em> in Mumbai, which was inaugurated by Sena MP Rahul Shewale. During the event, the MP had said that the Shinde Sena would soon open <em>shakhas</em> all over Mumbai, but six months later, the lone Mumbai shakha of the Shinde faction remains.</p>.<p>Along with the legal battle in the Supreme Court, Shinde and Thackeray supporters are fighting a battle on the streets to prove their dominance. Though the symbol and party belong to Shinde, voters’ preference between these two will determine who owns the 'real' Shiv Sena.</p>