New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday scheduled the hearing of a plea by the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena challenging the Maharashtra Assembly speaker’s decision to allot the ‘bow and arrow’ party symbol to the Eknath Shinde-led faction.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi announced that the hearing will commence on November 12 and, if required, continue on November 13.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Shiv Sena-UBT, highlighted the urgency of the matter, noting that local body elections are likely to take place in January next year. He requested the matter be heard and decided before the polls.
“We will hear all the parties on November 12 and, if need arises, continue the hearing on November 13,” the bench said.
Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Neeraj Kishan Kaul appeared for the Shinde faction.
### Background of the Case
On July 14, the Supreme Court had fixed the matter for a final hearing, citing that the issue had lingered for too long and the existing uncertainty could not be allowed to continue.
The Uddhav Thackeray faction has argued that the Speaker’s 2023 decision to grant the party symbol to the opposing faction, based on legislative majority, contradicts a Constitution Bench verdict of the Supreme Court.
Earlier, on May 7, the top court had advised the Uddhav-led faction to focus on local body polls after it sought an urgent hearing on its plea against the speaker’s decision.
### Disqualification Plea and Speaker’s Ruling
In January 2024, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar rejected Shiv Sena-UBT’s plea to disqualify 16 MLAs from the ruling camp, including Shinde himself.
The Uddhav faction described the speaker’s orders in the apex court as “patently unlawful and perverse,” criticizing the decision for rewarding defectors by recognizing them as the legitimate political party instead of punishing them for defection.
The plea further contended that the Speaker erred in holding that the majority legislators represented the true will of the Shiv Sena. Notably, no MLA from either faction was disqualified.
### Impact on Maharashtra Politics
The Speaker’s ruling solidified Eknath Shinde’s position as chief minister, nearly 18 months after his rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray. This decision enhanced Shinde’s political influence within the ruling coalition, which includes the BJP and the NCP (Ajit Pawar group), ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Shinde faction secured seven seats. In the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Shinde faction won 57 seats, the BJP secured 132 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP won 41 seats.
In December 2024, Devendra Fadnavis returned as Maharashtra Chief Minister, with Shinde and Ajit Pawar appointed as deputy chief ministers.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/shiv-sena-symbol-dispute-supreme-court-schedules-hearing-for-november-12-may-continue-on-13th
