Shiv Sena (UBT) Challenges Speaker's Decision on MP Merger in Supreme Court
Shiv Sena (UBT) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker's approval of a merger involving six MPs into Eknath Shinde's faction. Senior lawyer Devdutt Kamat argued that this decision undermines democratic principles, as the MPs were elected under a different banner. Sanjay Raut, a prominent figure in Uddhav Thackeray's camp, condemned the merger as a serious crime against democracy. Additionally, Raut criticized the government's actions regarding activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was forcibly hospitalized during his hunger strike. This unfolding political drama raises significant questions about the integrity of democratic processes in India.
| Jul 21, 2026, 13:10 IST
Shiv Sena (UBT) Takes Legal Action Against Speaker's Approval
On Tuesday, Shiv Sena (UBT) filed a petition in the Supreme Court contesting the decision made by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, which sanctioned the merger of six party MPs into the faction led by Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Senior lawyer Devdutt Kamat represented Shiv Sena (UBT) before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi. Kamat requested that the petition be scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday. The Chief Justice responded that they would consider it. Kamat informed the bench that on July 18, the Speaker had approved the merger of the six MPs into Shinde's faction, stating that the Speaker had recognized this merger.
Sanjay Raut Condemns the Merger as an Attack on Democracy
Prior to the monsoon session, on July 18, Om Birla approved the merger of six MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) into Shinde's faction. Meanwhile, Sanjay Raut from Uddhav Thackeray's group described this action as a violation and murder of democracy. Raut, without naming anyone, claimed that those MPs elected under the 'burning torch' symbol (Shiv Sena (UBT)'s election emblem) had been bought off. He stated, 'This is a violation and murder of democracy, a serious crime. These individuals are akin to serial killers and rapists.' Raut questioned how the Speaker could permit such a merger when the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution prohibits division or merger.
Raut Criticizes Center for Hospitalizing Activist Sonam Wangchuk
Speaking to reporters, Raut criticized the central government for forcibly taking activist Sonam Wangchuk to the hospital. The Delhi police had taken Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital on the 21st day of his hunger strike. He has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 28, protesting alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the reported deaths of students linked to this controversy. Raut emphasized that all forms of protest should be allowed in a democracy, stating, 'Mahatma Gandhi chose the path of indefinite hunger strikes to compel the British to initiate dialogue. However, when Wangchuk protests, the government does not engage in dialogue but drags him away from the protest site. They did not even bring a stretcher for him and pressured him to end his fast, which should be condemned.'