The Supreme Court on Monday deferred for two weeks the hearing on a petition by the Shiv Sena (UBT) contesting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s decision to approve the merger of six of its parliamentarians with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
A bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe ordered the adjournment after observing that formal notices issued on the plea had not yet been served to the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker and other respondents. The petition was filed by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Ganpat Sawant.
During the proceedings, senior counsel Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioner, urged the bench to consider granting interim relief. Sibal argued that the Speaker lacks plenary powers and can only evaluate defense arguments within the scope of a disqualification application, warning that the approval carries far-reaching consequences.
The legal challenge arises from Speaker Om Birla’s July 18 order, issued ahead of the Monsoon Session, recognizing the six lawmakers as part of the faction headed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The six parliamentarians were among nine candidates elected to the Lok Sabha on Shiv Sena (UBT) tickets. Following the recognized merger, the numerical strength of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the House rose to 13, according to official sources.
