Overview
- The Supreme Court posted the Shiv Sena and NCP symbol cases for a final hearing on January 21, 2026, citing overlapping legal questions.
- The matter was taken up by a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, which reserved January 22 as a spillover day if required.
- Uddhav Thackeray’s petition contests the ECI’s February 17, 2023 order naming Eknath Shinde’s camp the official Shiv Sena and granting it the ‘bow and arrow’ symbol, a decision the ECI defends on legislative strength.
- During the pendency of the case, the Court permitted Thackeray’s group to retain the name Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the temporary ‘flaming torch’ symbol.
- Analysts report that the eventual ruling could reshape Maharashtra’s alliances and influence civic elections scheduled to start on December 2, 2025.