Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena Challenges LS Speaker’s Approval of Rebel MPs’ Merger

The ongoing political turmoil within the Shiv Sena party took a significant turn as the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The legal challenge is aimed at contesting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s recent endorsement of the merger of six rebel Members of Parliament with the faction led by Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

According to reports, representatives from the Uddhav faction brought the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, requesting an expedited hearing. The faction’s legal counsel expressed concerns regarding a complete halt in their parliamentary activities following this decision. This development coincides with the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began on Monday.

In a recent move, Speaker Birla had approved the merger on Saturday, which has drawn sharp criticism from the Uddhav faction. The six MPs in question are part of a larger group of nine Shiv Sena MPs in the Lok Sabha, and they had aligned with Shinde’s faction back on June 22. With this merger, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena now boasts a total of 13 MPs in the Lower House, reinforcing its position within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The Uddhav faction has raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the merger, initiating disciplinary actions against the rebel legislators. They contend that even if the rebel MPs represent two-thirds of the party’s legislative body, they cannot unilaterally merge with another party without prior approval from the original party itself. Uddhav Sena’s legal representatives are adamant that this approval is a requirement that cannot be overlooked.

The Supreme Court bench acknowledged the urgency of the matter but refrained from committing to a specific date for hearing the plea, stating, “We will see,” which adds a layer of uncertainty to the unfolding political drama. As the situation develops, the internal rifts within the Shiv Sena continue to play out against the backdrop of broader political dynamics in Maharashtra, raising questions about party unity and governance in the state.

Source: scroll.in