Uddhav Thackeray faction moves SC against Eknath Shinde's claim over party, symbol
New Delhi, July 25
The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena moved the Supreme Court, challenging the proceedings of the Election Commission on Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led group’s plea for recognition as the Shiv Sena.
The EC has asked both factions to submit documents by August 8 in support of their respective claims on the party’s election symbol — bow and arrow. The rival groups have been asked to submit documents, including letters of support from the legislative and organisational wings of the Shiv Sena.
The Thackeray faction has already written to the EC requesting it not to go ahead with the proceedings on Shinde camp’s plea in view of the fact that several petitions with regard to the Shiv Sena were pending in the Supreme Court.
Terming Shinde group’s attempt to get the poll symbol and the tag of the real Shiv Sena as an act of “desperation”, the Uddhav faction urged the top court to make EC a party to a petition filed by Shiv Sena general secretary Subhash Desai.
On July 20, the Supreme Court had hinted at sending the petitions relating to Maharashtra political turmoil to a Constitution Bench, saying the constitutional issues, including the split and merger of a political party, defection, and disqualification might require consideration by a larger Bench.
The Bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana, meanwhile, had extended the operation of its July 11 order by which it had asked Assembly Speaker not to proceed with a plea seeking disqualification of MLAs of the Uddhav faction as sought by the Shinde group on the grounds of defying the party whip during the trust vote and Speaker’s election.
Wants stay on EC proceedings
- Thackeray faction challenges EC’s proceedings on CM Eknath Shinde-led group’s plea for recognition as the real Shiv Sena
- Urges the court to make EC a party to a petition filed by Sena general secretary Subhash Desai
- Development assumes significance as poll panel recently asked rival factions to submit documents by August 8 in support of their claims
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