India, Aug. 12 -- A split in a legislature party can never, by itself, amount to a split in the political party and the Election Commission's decision to recognise the Eknath Shinde-led unit as "real Shiv Sena" and grant it the bow-and-arrow symbol was unlawful, the Uddhav Thackeray faction told the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

The assertions were made by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Shiv Sena (UBT), before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana on the third day of final hearing.

The bench was hearing two pleas filed in 2024 by the Uddhav faction against the poll panel's order allotting the 'bow and arrow' symbol to the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led unit...