New Delhi : The Supreme Court has declined to stay the Election Commission’s decision recognizing the Eknath Shinde faction as the genuine Shiv Sena and allowing them to use the party’s name and the bow and arrow symbol. The court has also issued a notice to the Shinde camp in response to a petition filed by Uddhav Thackeray against the Election Commission order, and has asked the Shinde camp to submit a reply to the petition.

The Supreme Court bench, consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala, heard the plea of the Uddhav Thackeray group against the Election Commission order, which recognized the Eknath Shinde faction as the real Shiv Sena and granted them the ‘bow and arrow’ symbol. The court rejected Uddhav Thackeray faction’s plea for a stay on the EC’s order of Shiv Sena’s name and symbol, and ordered that the Shiv Sena is free to decide on party’s internal matters. The court will rehear the matter after two weeks once the arguments have been submitted.

Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale, who belongs to the Shinde camp, welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision. Meanwhile, at its first national executive meeting held on Tuesday evening, the Shiv Sena decided that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde would remain the “chief leader” of the party.