SC Refers Eknath Shinde Vs Uddhav Thackeray Case To Five-Judge Bench

Mumbai: Though Shiva Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party have tied up and formed government in Maharashtra, the party chief and former CM Uddhav Thackeray is yet to become part of it.

The dispute between Thackeray and now CM Eknath Shinde is getting a new turn as the Supreme Court has referred the conflict between the Shiv Sena factions to a five-judge constitution bench for resolution.

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission not to proceed on an appeal made by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s camp seeking recognition as the “true Shiv Sena” party and the use of the “bow and arrow” emblem until Thursday.

A three-judge panel comprised of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Krishna Murari, and Justice Hima Kohli forwarded the petitions to a five-judge bench, citing major constitutional issues.

On the request of Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared on behalf of the Uddhav camp, to prevent the Election Commission of India from deciding Eknath Shinde’s claims as the official Shiv Sena party, the CJI agreed to refer the case to the Constitution Bench the day after tomorrow to consider interim relief.

The top court also restrained the Election Commission from acting on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s plea to recognise his faction as the legitimate Shiv Sena, and the subsequent allotment of the party’s ‘bow and arrow’ symbol to the Shinde faction until Thursday’s hearing.