Mumbai, Sep 27 (IANS): Both Shiv Sena factions - led by ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde - welcomed the Supreme Court decision on Tuesday allowing the Election Commission to decide on the 'real Shiv Sena' and the allotment of the iconic bow-and-arrow symbol.

In his first reaction, Shinde said he humbly welcomed the apex court decision and reiterated that his faction is the "real Shiv Sena".

"In a democracy, the majority counts and we have that majority in the assembly, a majority of the MPs are supporting us. All decisions taken in the country are based on the Constitution, laws and procedures. We have not done anything to flout any laws and we have formed this government also on the basis of the laws. We were expecting this decision," he said.

Shiv Sena ex-Minister Aditya Thackeray said that "this is not a relief" as claimed by the Shinde group leaders, while MP Arvind Sawant said that this decision is part of the legal procedures, and the whole country has witnessed the court proceedings.

"This is neither a shock nor relief to any side. The SC has now asked the ECI to take a decision in the matter. The 'traitors' have not got any victory as they are claiming. Now we shall present our case before the ECI. We have full faith in the judiciary," said Thackeray Jr.

Terming it as "the first blow to Uddhav Thackeray" with more to come, Shinde said that they had full faith in the EC, even as several other leaders his Group hailed verdict rejecting the Sena's plea for a stay on the ECI on the rival group's claims before it.

Nationalist Congress Party state President Jayant Patil, Sena leaders like Anil Desai, ex-Minister Anil Parab and others also said that they accept the SC verdict and will now present their case strongly before the EC.