Don’t Decide On Shinde Camp’s Claim To Be Real Shiv Sena Now: SC Directs EC

Mumbai: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission to not decide on the Eknath Shinde camp’s claim to be the real Shiv Sena as of now. The EC had fixed August 8 to hear a claim of the Eknath Shinde faction.

CJI NV Ramana said the bench will take a call by Monday on whether the matter of the Maharashtra political crisis will be sent to a larger bench.

“Let no precipitative action be taken… we are not passing any order. But at the same time, don’t take any precipitative action,” the CJI said.

As the CJI heard all the parties, Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Uddhav faction, said that the MLAs of the Shinde faction were no longer members of the party, while Harish Salve, for the Shinde faction, said there is nothing to show that these MLAs have left the party.

“Suppose there are two groups, which claim that they are real political parties. Can’t they claim to be recognized as political parties?” CJI asked

“They are saying that they have the support of 40 MLAs out of 50. They argue that they are a political party. If 40 MLAs are disqualified, what is the basis of their claim?” Sibal said.

“Can 40 MLAs or any legislature party say they are the political party? They are mixing up the legislature party with the political party?” Sibal said.

The EC, represented in today’s hearing, said that as per the rule, the EC is bound to decide whether a group makes a claim or not.

If MLAs become disqualified, they are no longer members of the Legislative Assembly, but they do not belong to the political party they are claiming. The Election Commission also said that whatever happens in the assembly is completely different from the membership of any political party.

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