In the ongoing tussle within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Ajit Pawar-led faction recently informed the Supreme Court of its decision to add a disclaimer regarding its use of the party’s clock symbol. This move addresses concerns raised by the rival faction led by Sharad Pawar over potential voter confusion due to the shared party symbol.
Background: NCP Faction Dispute
The NCP split into two factions earlier this year, with Ajit Pawar aligning with the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, creating a leadership crisis. While both factions claim legitimacy, Sharad Pawar’s group holds significant symbolic and leadership recognition. This dispute has escalated to the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is expected to deliver a decision on the rightful use of the NCP name and symbol.
Supreme Court Hearing and Assurance
During the latest Supreme Court hearing, Ajit Pawar’s counsel assured the court that his faction would publish a clear disclaimer when using the clock symbol to prevent voter confusion, promising a distinction between his faction and the Sharad Pawar-led group. The disclaimer will clarify that the symbol represents Ajit Pawar’s faction and not the unified NCP.
Next Steps
As the ECI continues to deliberate on the party’s symbol ownership, this disclaimer seeks to uphold electoral transparency. The Supreme Court will continue to monitor developments as both factions await a final resolution.
Conclusion
This symbolic disclaimer aims to balance the contentious claims while awaiting the ECI’s ruling, reflecting an attempt to address the legal and electoral implications of the factional split within the NCP.