New Delhi: The SC on Thursday in its major decision brought relief to the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp of the Shiv Sena, asking the Election Commission not to decide on the pleas submitted by the Eknath Shined-led faction as yet.
A bench of the apex court led by Chief Justice NV Ramana said that it would decide on August 8th whether to refer the pleas to a five-judge constitution bench. “We will decide whether to refer the matter to the 5-judges constitution bench,” the bench, also comprising justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli said.
The top court on July 20th directed the Maharashtra speaker to maintain the status quo and not decide on any qualification applications until it hears the matter on August 1st.
The apex court also instructed the EC that if the Uddhav Thackeray-led camp seeks time to file a response to its notices on Shinde’s camps petition, it should consider their request to adjourn the case.
The Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena last week had written to the EC seeking allocation of the party’s patent symbol. citing the recognition granted to them in the Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly.