SC to consider Sena (UBT) plea against Speaker’s approval of MPs’ ‘unilateral merger’
The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a plea from the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker's recognition of a merger involving six of its MPs. The petitioner argues that the merger violates the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution by bypassing the original political party's consent.
Why it matters
This case highlights ongoing legal debates regarding the anti-defection law and the integrity of political party structures in India.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 21, 2026) agreed to consider to urgently hear a plea by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bal Thackeray) party challenging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s grant of approval to six of its nine MPs unilaterally “merging” with rival Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ahead of the Parliament’s Monsoon session.
“My functioning as a political party in the Parliament has come to an absolute standstill because the MPs are not with me. The Speaker has recognised their merger with some other political party. This was intended for the Parliament session. I am seeking a hearing tomorrow [July 22],” senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the UBT faction, orally mentioned before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
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