SC adjourns Shiv Sena-UBT plea on merger of six MPs

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned by two weeks the hearing on a plea filed by the Shiv Sena (UBT) challenging the Speaker’s approval to the merger of its six MPs with the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe noted that the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker and others were yet to be served the notice issued on the plea filed by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Ganpat Sawant.

During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the court has to consider for interim relief.

“There are serious consequences. The Speaker can only decide a matter in defence on an application for disqualification. He doesn’t have any plenary powers,” Sibal said.

The top court said it will hear the matter after two weeks.

Ahead of the Monsoon Session, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on July 18 approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the Shiv Sena led by Shinde.

Official sources had said with the merger of the six MPs, the strength of the Shiv Sena has gone up to 13.

A total of nine MPs had got elected on Shiv Sena (UBT) tickets, of which six have joined the Shiv Sena headed by Shinde.