ECI asks Uddhav, Shinde to ‘submit documentary evidence’ to prove majority in Shiv Sena
New Delhi [India], July 23: Election Commission of India issues letter to new rivals in Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde, who approached the poll body to stake claim over Bal Thackeray-founded outfit, to submit documentary evidence to prove that they have the majority members in the Shiv Sena.
The ECI sent written letters to them and sought replies from both the camps by August 8.
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The poll body would hear the claims made by both the factions after receiving the reply from both ends.
Meanwhile, Shinde led a revolt against Thackeray last month leading to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state. The fight to stake claim over Shiv Sena reached the ECI after both sides wrote to the Commission.
The Shinde faction, which gained power with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party, has 40 out of the 55 Shiv Sena MLAs. It has requested the ECI to recognise the faction as the 'real' Shiv Sena while also urging the poll body for allocation of the bow-and-arrow poll symbol to the faction.
Earlier on Saturday morning, 12 Lok Sabha members of the Shiv Sena met the Lok Sabha Speaker and requested him to change the leader of the party in the lower house of Parliament.
Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shawale said that a letter to change the party leader in the lower house of the parliament has been sent to the Lok Sabha speaker as he will be giving recognition to the party, once legal actions are taken.
Supreme Court said that the issues in petitions may require reference to a five-judge bench.
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The bench further said that the Speaker will maintain the status quo and not decide on any disqualification applications.
-PTC News
