Supreme Court Grants ‘NCP–SCP’ Name and Symbol to Sharad Pawar Faction, Imposes Restrictions on Ajit Pawar Camp

In response, Senior Pawar took the matter to the Supreme Court, contesting the ECI order and questioning the rationale behind the election commissioners

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In a significant development, the Supreme Court granted permission to the Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to utilize the name ‘NCP–SCP’ along with the symbol of a ‘man blowing turrah’ for both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The apex court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to officially designate the ‘man blowing turrah’ as the designated poll symbol for the Sharad Pawar faction.

Simultaneously, the court imposed restrictions on the Ajit Pawar faction, barring them from employing the name or image of NCP founder Sharad Pawar in any campaign materials for elections.

Additionally, the court mandated the Ajit Pawar group to issue a public notice indicating that its use of the ‘clock’ symbol is contingent upon the final outcome of the appeal currently pending before the apex court. Until a verdict is reached, all advertisements, whether in print or electronic media, must include a declaration to this effect, as per the court’s directives.

Last week, a bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan reprimanded the Ajit Pawar camp for allegedly exploiting Sharad Pawar’s name and images in their campaign endeavors.

“You are a different political party now. You have chosen not to be with him. So why use his picture… Go with your own identity now,” the bench admonished.

“We need a categorical and unconditional undertaking that the name, pictures of Sharad Pawar will not be used,” the court reiterated.

The Election Commission of India, in its February 6 ruling, acknowledged the Ajit faction as the authentic NCP, based on the “test of legislative majority”.

“Ajit Pawar faction enjoyed majority support of legislators. (The) commission holds that Ajit Pawar is the Nationalist Congress Party and is entitled to use its name and reserved symbol of ‘clock’,” the ECI order affirmed.

In response, Senior Pawar took the matter to the Supreme Court, contesting the ECI order and questioning the rationale behind the election commissioners’ decision to bestow the party’s original name and symbol upon the Ajit Pawar-led faction.

The legal battle over the party’s identity and symbols underscores the deep-seated factionalism within the NCP and the complex dynamics at play within Maharashtra’s political landscape. As the NCP prepares for upcoming elections, this verdict by the Supreme Court is poised to reshape the contours of the state’s political arena.

Also Read: How Inducting Raj Thackeray’s MNS Will Impact BJP-led NDA in Maharashtra and Why it Matters

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