New Delhi, 21 July (H.S.): Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker's decision recognising the merger of six of its Members of Parliament with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. The party also sought an urgent hearing on the matter.

The request for an early hearing was mentioned on Tuesday before a Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant. After hearing the submission, the Bench assured that the petition would be taken up for hearing at the earliest.

Appearing for the Shiv Sena (UBT), senior advocate Devadatt Kamat told the court during the mentioning that the matter involved an important constitutional issue. He argued that the Lok Sabha Speaker had recognised the merger of six MPs into a rival political party, raising serious constitutional concerns.

Kamat informed the court that the Speaker had granted recognition to the merger on the night of July 18. He further submitted that, following the merger, the strength of the Eknath Shinde-led faction in the Lok Sabha had increased to 13 MPs.

He also contended that the Speaker's decision was affecting the functioning of the party in Parliament and warranted urgent judicial intervention.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar