Supreme Court Schedules Final Hearing for Shiv Sena Symbol Dispute on January 21, 2026

Supreme Court to Hear Pivotal Shiv Sena Symbol Case

The Supreme Court of India has scheduled January 21, 2026, as the date for the final hearing in the high-stakes dispute over the Shiv Sena party name and its iconic 'bow and arrow' election symbol. The case pits the faction led by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray against the group led by current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This crucial hearing will address the challenge to the Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision that recognized the Shinde faction as the legitimate Shiv Sena.

Background of the Political Rift

The origins of the dispute trace back to June 2022, when Eknath Shinde, then a senior Shiv Sena leader, orchestrated a rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray. This internal party split led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, which was led by Thackeray. Subsequently, Shinde formed a new government in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and assumed the role of Chief Minister. Both factions have since claimed to be the 'real' Shiv Sena, founded by Bal Thackeray.

Election Commission's Ruling and Supreme Court Challenge

In February 2023, the Election Commission of India delivered a significant ruling, recognizing the Eknath Shinde faction as the official Shiv Sena and allotting them the 'bow and arrow' symbol. The ECI's decision was primarily based on the strength of the legislative wing supporting Shinde. The Uddhav Thackeray faction, formally known as Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), subsequently challenged this order in the Supreme Court. Their petition argues that the ECI erred by giving undue weight to legislative majority over the party's organizational structure.

Upcoming Hearing and Interim Arrangements

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi will preside over the final hearing. The Supreme Court has also decided to hear the Shiv Sena symbol dispute concurrently with a similar case involving the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), citing overlapping legal issues. The hearing is scheduled to continue on January 22, 2026, if necessary. During the pendency of the matter, the Supreme Court has allowed the Uddhav Thackeray faction to continue using the name 'Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)' and the 'flaming torch' symbol. The court has allocated three hours for arguments from the petitioners (Thackeray faction) and two hours for the respondents (Shinde faction).