Uddhav vs Shinde: SC to hear plea on ‘Bow and Arrow’ dispute tomorrow

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will hear the plea filed by Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of Shiv Sena challenging the EC’s decision to allot the party name ‘Shiv Sena,’ and the ‘Bow and Arrow,’ symbol to the faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Wednesday.

A bench led by CJI, DY Chandrachud agreed to hear the plea in the matter on Wednesday, February 22, at around 3:30 pm local time. While presenting his client before the Apex Court, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal urged to hear the plea on Wednesday, submitting that if the decision of Election Commission is not contested and challenged, the rival faction will take over everything, including the party’s bank accounts, among other things.

The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud said, “It will not disrupt the Constitution Bench hearing because three judges are waiting for them.” He further added that he would finish the Constitution Bench hearing on the Maharashtra political crisis and take it up the plea contesting the EC’s ruling on the Sena symbol thereafter on Wednesday. In addition, the court also said that it will read the matter first.

Notably, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena moved before the Supreme Court to challenge the EC’s move to allot the name ‘Shiv Sena’ and ‘Bow and Arrow’ symbol to the rival faction led by CM Shinde.