Sharad Pawar Urges Supreme Court to Hear Challenge Against ECI’s Decision on NCP Symbol

The legal battle unfolding highlights the escalating power struggle within the NCP, with both factions striving for control over the party's identity and resources amidst mounting political tensions in Maharashtra.

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Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar has urgently appealed to the Supreme Court to hear his petition challenging the Election Commission of India (ECI)’s decision to grant the party name and symbol to the rival faction led by Ajit Pawar.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud has responded to this request, assuring that he will consider it and assign a hearing date. This follows a plea made by senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who urged the court to prioritize the case for a hearing on Monday.

Singhvi emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “This is a matter of extreme urgency…because of the Election Commission’s order, Sharad Pawar will be subject to the whip of Ajit Pawar. The session in Maharashtra assembly is slated to begin next week and we have not been given any symbol.”

The appeal for a hearing comes after Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar ruled in favor of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s faction, affirming them as the authentic NCP. Narwekar’s decision was based on the test of legislative majority, as the other grounds regarding party constitution and leadership structure were found inconclusive.

Narwekar’s ruling followed the ECI’s decision favoring Ajit Pawar’s faction, prompting Sharad Pawar to file an appeal on February 12 against the ECI’s order, citing numerical strength in the legislature.

While the ECI permitted Sharad Pawar’s faction to be referred to as the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election on February 27, the Ajit Pawar faction has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court through advocate Abhikalp Pratap Singh, ensuring their representation before any decision is made.

The ECI, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, has determined that the faction led by Ajit Pawar is the legitimate NCP, entitled to use its name and clock symbol, relying on the “Test of Majority” criterion.

The legal battle unfolding highlights the escalating power struggle within the NCP, with both factions striving for control over the party’s identity and resources amidst mounting political tensions in Maharashtra.

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