JUDGMENT

Sanjeev Narula, J. (Oral):

1. There is a split between members of the `Shivsena' is a recognized political party in the State of Maharashtra. One group/faction is led by Sh. Eknathrao Sambhaji Shinde [`Respondent No. 2'] and the other by Sh. Uddhav Thackeray [`Petitioner']. Both claim to be the president of the original Shivsena party, and stake claim to its poll symbol of `bow and arrow' [`the symbol']. In this background, before Election Commission of India/Respondent No. 1 [`ECI'], a dispute petition under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 [`Symbols Order'] was filed by Respondent No. 2 on 19th July, 2022 [`Dispute Petition'].¹ Therein, claiming that he represents the majority faction of Shivsena Party, Respondent No. 2 has sought, inter alia, allotment of the symbol to the group led by him. Pending final adjudication of the D