Supreme Court refuses to stay EC's decision on Shiv Sena name, symbol

New Delhi, February 22: Supreme Court on Wednesday denied to stay the Election Commission's order to allot the name 'Shiv Sena' and the 'Bow and Arrow' symbol to the faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and said "we can't stay an order at this stage".

The Supreme Court clarified that if any action is taken that is not based on the EC order, the Uddhav Thackeray camp may seek other remedies. SC has listed the matter after two weeks.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal urged the Supreme Court to grant interim relief, claiming that they are taking office after office and urging the court to issue a status quo order.

The Supreme Court has asked the opposing camp, Eknath Shinde, to file a response to the petition.

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On Tuesday, Kapil Sibal petitioned the Supreme Court to hear the case on Wednesday, claiming that if the EC decision is not contested and challenged, the rival faction will seize control of everything, including the party's bank accounts.

"It will not disrupt the Constitution Bench hearing because three judges are waiting for them," CJI Chandrachud said.

He added that he would finish the Constitution Bench hearing on the Maharashtra political crisis on Wednesday and then take up the plea contesting the EC's ruling on the Sena symbol.

The court stated that it will first read the case.

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