The Supreme Court said it would consider urgently hearing a petition filed by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bal Thackeray). The petition challenges Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s approval of the merger of six of the party’s nine MPs with the faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde before the Monsoon Session.
The dispute is significant because it combines party recognition, parliamentary membership, and constitutional procedure. The petition places the Speaker’s decision under judicial scrutiny and raises the larger question of how disputes over elected representatives are resolved when a political party splits or a faction claims to be the legitimate party.
Why the issue matters for UPSC
The issue is directly relevant to GS Paper II because it connects the Tenth Schedule, the Speaker’s powers, and judicial review in legislative disputes. It is also a useful case for understanding the tension between political realignment and constitutional safeguards against destabilising defections.
Background and earlier position
Related current affairs
- SC seeks Lok Sabha Speaker’s response on merger of Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs
- SC declines stay on 6 MPs’ ‘merger’ with Shinde camp
- Birla approves six Sena (UBT) MPs’ merger with Shiv Sena
- Sena (UBT) moves SC against MPs’ merger
- Speaker okays merger of 6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs
- Speaker clears merger of six Sena UBT MPs with Shinde Sena, separate seating for TMC rebels