New Delhi, Oct 27 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed for final disposal a plea filed by the Shiv Sena (UBT) challenging the speaker’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 fixed December 8 for hearing the plea after it was informed that the office of the Lok Sabha speaker has not entered appearance in the matter.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant, expressed concern over the delay in the proceedings, pointing out that the court had already issued notice in July but the office of the speaker was yet to enter an appearance in the case.
“How many months will we have to wait before they make an appearance in the matter? In July, the notice was issued. What is happening?” Sibal questioned.
The bench adjourned the matter and listed it for final disposal after noting that the office of the speaker has been served the notice.
On July 22, the top court sought responses from the office of the Lok Sabha speaker and others on the plea challenging his approval to the merger of its six MPs with the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
While agreeing to hear the plea filed by Sawant, the court had refused to grant any interim relief.
Ahead of the Monsoon session, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla 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.
Earlier, senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, had submitted that the plea raises important questions concerning constitutional morality and propriety and the issue goes to the heart of parliamentary democracy.
Nine MPs had been elected on Shiv Sena (UBT) tickets, of which six have joined the Shiv Sena headed by Shinde. PTI MNL MNL KSS
KSS
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