Shiv Sena (UBT) Challenges Lok Sabha Speaker's Merger Approval in Supreme Court
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has moved the Supreme Court against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's decision to approve the merger of six of its MPs with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The party claims the decision has stalled its functioning in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
Background
The Shiv Sena split in June 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray, forming a rival faction. The Election Commission later recognized the Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena. The merger of six MPs further reduces the UBT faction's strength in the Lok Sabha.
Key facts
Shiv Sena (UBT) approached the Supreme Court on Tuesday challenging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's approval of the merger of six of its MPs with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a bench headed by CJI Surya Kant.
Kamat argued that the Speaker's decision has brought the party's functioning in Parliament to a standstill during the Monsoon Session.
The six MPs who merged are Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Dina Patil, Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure.
Post-merger, Shiv Sena (UBT) is left with only three Lok Sabha MPs.
The Supreme Court bench said it could not assure listing on Wednesday or Friday but added 'Will see.'
Prelims pointers
- Lok Sabha Speaker: Om Birla
- Shiv Sena (UBT) faction led by Uddhav Thackeray
- Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction
- Anti-defection law (10th Schedule of Constitution)
- Supreme Court bench: Chief Justice Surya Kant
- Monsoon Session of Parliament
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of the Speaker in deciding defection and merger cases under the anti-defection law.
- Examine the implications of political defections on parliamentary democracy and party discipline.
- Critically analyze the Supreme Court's jurisdiction in reviewing the Speaker's decisions on defection.