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The Supreme Court of India delivered a setback to veteran politician Sharad Pawar, ruling that the 'clock' symbol of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will remain with Ajit Pawar's faction. This decision comes ahead of the Maharashtra assembly election and further intensifies the ongoing power struggle within the NCP.
The court's decision stemmed from a complaint filed by the Sharad Pawar faction alleging that Ajit Pawar's faction had violated an earlier order by the court. The previous order, issued in response to a challenge against the Election Commission's decision to award the party name and symbol to Ajit Pawar's faction, had mandated disclaimers in election advertisements to clarify that the court's decision was temporary and subject to further review. The Sharad Pawar faction contended that the Ajit Pawar faction had disregarded this directive, leading to 'large scale confusion' among voters during the recent Lok Sabha election.
Despite upholding its previous decision to allow Ajit Pawar's faction to retain the 'clock' symbol, the Supreme Court issued a stern warning, directing the Ajit Pawar faction to comply with its order and refrain from creating any 'embarrassing situations.' The court also reiterated its previous stance that the name and photographs of Sharad Pawar cannot be used by the Ajit Pawar faction for political gain.
This ruling is a significant development in the ongoing feud within the NCP. It strengthens the position of Ajit Pawar's faction ahead of the Maharashtra assembly election, while dealing a blow to the Sharad Pawar faction. The decision is likely to have far-reaching implications for the political landscape in Maharashtra, potentially impacting the outcome of the upcoming assembly election.
The feud within the NCP stems from the rebellion led by Ajit Pawar last year. Ajit Pawar, along with a majority of NCP MLAs, defected from the party and joined the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena government led by Eknath Shinde. This move was seen as a direct challenge to Sharad Pawar's leadership, leading to a split within the NCP. The subsequent battle for the party's name and symbol has taken center stage in Maharashtra's political drama, highlighting the deep divisions within the party.
The Supreme Court's decision now sets the stage for a further confrontation between the two factions in the upcoming assembly election. Both sides will be vying for the support of voters, with the 'clock' symbol becoming a key symbol of identity and affiliation. The outcome of this election will not only determine the future of the NCP, but also play a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Maharashtra.
Source: Supreme Court Setback For Sharad Pawar, Clock Symbol Stays With Ajit Pawar