The Supreme Court refused to entertain a petition seeking de-recognition of Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for indulging in divisive political activities.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice Deepak Verma, told the petitioner Mr Manoj Pandit to approach either the State Election Commission or the Election Commission of India for the relief he is asking for.

The petitioner then sought the permission of the court to withdraw his petition and the Supreme Court permitted him to withdraw it.

The petitioner has alleged that both these parties were trying to divide the Indian society, particularly in Maharashtra on regional and religious lines, threatening the integrity of the country.

MNS headed by Raj Thackery has been carrying on violent campaign against north Indians living in Mumbai. They also attacked SP MLA Abu Azmi physically in the state Assembly when he was taking oath in Hindi.

Shiv Sena has been targeting minority community to promote its politics of hatred and had objected to the statement of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar in which he said that he is proud to be Indian.

UNI