NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Election Commission (EC) over Uddhav Thackeray's plea challenging EC's recognition of the Shinde faction in the Shiv Sena dispute.

The Supreme Court further clarified that the order of the Election Commission cannot be stayed. The plea will be heard again after two weeks.

“Pending further orders of this court, the protection which has been granted in paragraph 133(IV) of the impugned order of Election Commission dated February 17, 2023, shall continue to remain in operation,” the bench, comprising of Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, ordered.

“Issue notice. Pending further orders protection granted under Para 133(4) (allowing Thackeray faction to use flaming torch symbol) under the impugned order of Election Commission shall continue to operate. List this after 2 weeks,” the order reads.