New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a plea filed by the Shiv Sena (UBT) challenging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla'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 issued notice on the plea and sought responses from the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker and other respondents.Also Read: Shiv Sena UBT m moves SC against Speaker's nod to six MPs merger"Issue notice," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing after two weeks.Ahead of the Monsoon session, the Speaker on July 18 approved the merger of six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs with the Shiv Sena led by Shinde.Official sources had said that 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.The Shiv Sena (UBT) had argued before the Speaker that their rebel MPs should be disqualified as the defections fall under the anti-defection law.
SC agrees to hear Shiv Sena (UBT) plea against merger of 6 MPs with Shinde-led Shiv Sena
In a significant development, the Supreme Court will deliberate on a challenge to the Lok Sabha Speaker's endorsement of a merger between six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs and Eknath Shinde's group. This ruling was made right before the commencement of the Monsoon session. Shiv Sena (UBT) argues for the disqualification of these MPs based on anti-defection statutes. Notice has been served, and responses are anticipated in the next fortnight.
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