Overview
- Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi scheduled the Shiv Sena case for January 21, 2026 and the related NCP dispute for January 22, citing overlapping legal issues and allotting three hours per side.
- The petitions challenge ECI orders that recognised Eknath Shinde’s faction as the ‘real’ Shiv Sena in February 2023 and Ajit Pawar’s group as the NCP in February 2024, decisions the challengers say leaned on legislative strength over organisational tests.
- The Court has allowed Uddhav Thackeray’s camp to continue using the name ‘Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)’ and the ‘flaming torch’ symbol pending the case; the Sharad Pawar faction uses the ‘man with turha’ symbol while the Ajit Pawar camp’s use of the clock remains sub judice.
- Opposition MVA leaders announced a state-level coordination committee and left first‑phase local tie‑ups to district units, with no decision yet on bringing the MNS into the fold.
- The BJP named Chandrashekhar Bawankule election in‑charge, formed district coordination committees, and released a list of star campaigners as voting for municipal councils and nagar panchayats is set for December 2 with counting on December 3.