The Election Commission of India has asked both Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde to submit documentary evidence to prove that they have the majority members in the Shiv Sena.

Both the group have been asked to submit reply by 1 pm on August 8 after which the Election Commission will hold hearing regarding the claims and disputes between both factions of the Shiv Sena.

The ongoing tussle over the "real Shiv Sena" reached the Election Commission, with both the Uddhav faction and the Thackeray faction writing to the poll panel staking claims to the party.

Anil Desai from Uddhav Thackeray's camp had written to ECI on multiple occasions claiming certain members of party have indulged into anti-party activity. He had also raised objections to the Shinde faction establishing any political party using the names 'Shiv Sena' or 'Bala Saheb'.

Anil Desai had further sought removal of Eknath Shinde, Gulabrao Patil, Tanji Sawant, and Uday Samant from party posts.

Petitions were also filed by the Eknath Shinde camp under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968, to declare the group led by Eknath Shinde as Shiv Sena and also allot the party symbol "Bow and Arrow" to the group.

Shinde has also told the Election Commission that 40 out of 55 MLAs, various MLCs, and 12 MPs out of 18 are with him.

"In view of the above mentioned facts and circumstances, it is evident that there is a split in the Shiv Sena- one group of which is being led by Eknathrao Sambhaji Shinde and the other group is being led by Uddhavji Thakrey, both the groups claim to be the real Shiv Sena with their leader being the alleged President of Shiv Sena party," the EC said.

The Election Commission has directed both the groups to furnish their written submissions and their respective documents to support their claims, if any, latest by 1:00 pm on August 8.

(With inputs from agencies)