India, July 21 -- The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Tuesday petitioned the Supreme Court, challenging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's decision recognising the merger of six of its members of Parliament with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, contending that the move has brought its functioning in Parliament to a standstill.

The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant by senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for Shiv Sena (UBT) parliamentary party leader Arvind Sawant.

"My functioning as a political party in Parliament has come to an absolute standstill. These MPs are not with me. The Speaker has recognised their merger with another party. This is for the current Parliame...