SC Delays Hearing On UBT Plea Challenging Six MPs' Merger With Shinde Faction

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned for two weeks the hearing on a petition filed by Shiv Sena (UBT) challenging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s approval of the merger of six of its MPs with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The court’s decision came after it noted that the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker and other respondents had not yet been served the notice issued in connection with the petition. A bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe was hearing the plea filed by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Ganpat Sawant.

The petition challenges the Speaker’s decision to recognise the merger of the six MPs with the Shinde faction. The matter has political significance for the rival Shiv Sena factions, which have remained involved in a prolonged dispute over the party’s control, representation and legislative strength. During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Sawant, urged the Supreme Court to consider interim relief in the matter. Sibal argued that the Speaker’s decision could have serious consequences and questioned the extent of the Speaker’s powers in matters concerning disqualification.

“The speaker can only decide a matter in defence on an application for disqualification. He doesn’t have any plenary powers,” Sibal submitted before the bench. The Supreme Court, however, decided to defer the hearing and said the matter would be taken up after two weeks. The adjournment came primarily because the respondents, including the Lok Sabha Speaker’s office, were yet to be served the notice issued on the petition. The court is expected to consider the petition and the request for interim relief once the required procedural steps have been completed.

Also Read: PM Modi Urges New MPs to End Parliament Disruptions

The dispute follows Birla’s July 18 decision, taken ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, to approve the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the Shiv Sena led by Shinde. The decision altered the parliamentary strength of the two factions and formalised the movement of the six lawmakers from the UBT camp to the Shinde-led party. Before the merger, nine MPs had been elected on Shiv Sena (UBT) tickets. With six of those lawmakers moving to the Shinde faction, the UBT group was left with three MPs. Official sources said the addition of the six MPs increased the strength of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena to 13.

The development has therefore become an important point of contention between the two sides, with the UBT faction seeking judicial scrutiny of the Speaker’s decision. The Supreme Court’s next hearing is expected to determine how the petition proceeds and whether the court will consider the interim relief sought by the UBT side. For now, the Speaker’s decision remains under challenge, while the court has allowed the respondents additional time to be formally served with the notice. The case adds another legal chapter to the continuing dispute between the rival Shiv Sena factions over political and legislative authority.

Also Read: Sena Symbol Row: Final SC Hearings Spark New Political Slugfest