Mumbai, August 17: In the ongoing Supreme Court hearing regarding the Shiv Sena party symbol and name, Arvind Sawant, a Member of Parliament from Shiv Sena (UBT), stated that the arguments presented by Kapil Sibal clearly indicate that the anti-defection law applies to the Eknath Shinde faction as well, and they should be disqualified.
Sawant criticized the Election Commission’s decision, labeling it a significant error. He emphasized that a party is not solely defined by its legislators but also includes its national and state executive bodies.
Commenting on the Supreme Court proceedings concerning the Shiv Sena party symbol, Sawant remarked, “It is satisfying. The way Kapil Sibal presented our party’s case before the Supreme Court, citing various legal precedents, proves that defection laws indeed apply to them, and they should be disqualified.”
He noted that while they were not disqualified earlier, it is now necessary. He pointed out that due to the Election Commission’s erroneous decisions, the party’s symbol and name were handed over to them. “It’s a simple fact that just because some legislators left, it doesn’t mean the party is defined by them. The party’s executive operates at both national and state levels. All actions are conducted under the Constitution,” he added.
Sawant further mentioned that the party should independently decide to separate. When the party collectively agrees, with two-thirds of its members, including office bearers, MPs, and MLAs, it is valid.
Additionally, he responded to Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan’s comments regarding the late BJP leader Gopinath Munde, stating that Balasaheb Thackeray had advised Munde not to leave the party.
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