Shinde Vs Uddhav camp: SC allows Election Commission to decide on ‘real’ Shiv Sena

New Delhi: In a major setback to Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said that Election Commission will decide on who is the real ‘inheritor’ of Shiv Sena symbol.

Uddhav camp had moved the Supreme court seeking to restrain the Election Commission from deciding on Shinde camp’s claim that it should be the owner of real Shiv Sena, as more than half of legislators broke away from the party and formed a new outfit.

The five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud refused to stay proceedings before the poll panel, which is contemplating on which camp should get recognition as real Shiv Sena. Shinde camp had moved the EC for its nod while Uddhav camp challenged the same in Supreme Court, seeking directions to stop it unless the top court decides on the main issue pending before it.

The bench also comprised of Justices MR Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and PS Narasimha.

“We direct that there would be no stay of the proceedings before the Election Commission of India. Accordingly, the Interlocutory Application is dismissed,” the bench stated in its order after the LIVE telecast of court hearing.

The Constituent Bench of Supreme Court heard the plea by Uddhav camp, the proceedings of which were also telecast LIVE, for the first time.

The Election Commission will weigh in the chances of which camp should get the Shiv Sena’s traditional bow & arrow.