The political turmoil within the Shiv Sena has escalated to the Supreme Court, with the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction, led by Uddhav Thackeray, filing a critical application. This application, lodged by Shiv Sena UBT leader Sunil Prabhu, expresses grave concerns over a recent meeting between Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, held at the Chief Minister’s official residence on January 7. The timing of this meeting is particularly contentious, occurring just three days before the Speaker’s scheduled verdict in the Shiv Sena MLA disqualification case.
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In the application, Prabhu articulates the apprehensions of the Uddhav Thackeray faction regarding the impartiality of the Speaker. He states,
“It is highly improper for the Speaker to meet Eknath Shinde three days before deciding on the disqualification petition. The Speaker is required to act in an impartial manner. However, the present act of the Speaker raises questions about his fairness and impartiality in the decision-making process.”
He further emphasizes the principle of judicial propriety, adding,
“The present act of the Speaker is in violation of the legal maxim that justice should not only be done, it should also be seen.”
This application forms part of a broader writ petition seeking the expeditious handling of disqualification petitions against the Shinde faction and the inclusion of additional documents in the record. The Supreme Court had initially set a deadline of December 31, 2023, for the Speaker to resolve these petitions under the tenth schedule of the Constitution. However, on December 15, the Court extended this deadline to January 10, 2024.
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The roots of this legal and political battle trace back to June 2022, when a faction led by Eknath Shinde rebelled against then-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. This rebellion resulted in a split within the Shiv Sena and led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, which included the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress. In response, cross petitions were filed by both the Shinde and Thackeray factions, each seeking action against the other under anti-defection laws. Representatives from both factions have indicated their readiness to approach the Supreme Court if the verdict from the Speaker is unfavorable.
Following the June 2022 rebellion, Shinde ascended to the position of Chief Minister with the backing of the BJP. In July of the same year, the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party joined his government. In a significant development, the Election Commission allocated the ‘Shiv Sena‘ name and ‘bow and arrow’ symbol to the Shinde-led faction, while the Thackeray-led faction was designated as Shiv Sena (UBT) and assigned a flaming torch symbol.
The Supreme Court’s upcoming decision is highly anticipated, as it will not only resolve the internal conflict within the Shiv Sena but also have far-reaching implications for Maharashtra’s political dynamics. The court’s ruling will be a crucial determinant in the ongoing power struggle within one of Maharashtra’s most influential political parties.
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