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The ongoing battle for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its iconic clock symbol has escalated once again, taking center stage in the lead-up to the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. The Sharad Pawar faction of the party has approached the Supreme Court, seeking an injunction to prevent the Ajit Pawar faction from using the “clock” symbol during the electoral campaign. The Supreme Court has scheduled the hearing of this crucial petition for October 15, potentially influencing the political landscape in Maharashtra.
The roots of this conflict lie in the political turmoil that shook the NCP last year. Ajit Pawar, the nephew of party patriarch Sharad Pawar, rebelled against his uncle and joined hands with the ruling alliance in Maharashtra in July 2022. This dramatic move led to the Election Commission granting the NCP name and poll symbol to the Ajit Pawar faction. However, the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year witnessed a twist. Recognizing the confusion among voters, the Supreme Court intervened and barred the Ajit Pawar faction from using the clock symbol. The court mandated that they clearly inform the public about the sub-judice status of the symbol.
The recent Lok Sabha elections served as a litmus test, offering a glimpse into the public perception of the NCP's two factions. The Sharad Pawar faction emerged victorious, securing eight seats, whereas the Ajit Pawar faction managed to win only one seat. This result further fueled the debate over the rightful claim to the NCP symbol, with the Sharad Pawar faction seeking a definitive ruling from the Supreme Court.
The current legal battle is not the only one that the NCP is facing. The Sharad Pawar faction has also filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, challenging the Election Commission’s decision to recognize the Ajit Pawar faction as the genuine NCP. This appeal is currently being heard by the court. The outcome of these legal proceedings could have profound consequences for the NCP, potentially shaping its future direction and its role in Maharashtra politics.
The upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections are anticipated to be fiercely contested. The NCP’s internal conflict, coupled with the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the clock symbol, adds another layer of complexity to the electoral landscape. The public's response to the NCP's split and the legal battles surrounding its identity will be crucial in determining the party's fate in the upcoming polls.
Source: Pawar vs Pawar Battle In Supreme Court Over Clock Symbol