A legal dispute between Ajit Pawar and his political mentor Sharad Pawar for control of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its symbol is underway. In an interim order, the Supreme Court permitted Ajit Pawar to campaign under the NCP name and its 'clock' symbol. However, the Court directed the Election Commission to recognize the rival faction as 'NCP Sharadchandra Pawar' and reserve the symbol of 'man blowing turha (trumpet)' for it.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan also directed Ajit’s faction to give notice in newspapers stating that the matter pertaining to legal fight over the symbol is subjudice and is subject to the final outcome of the case. It said that the faction should mention it in all its pamphlets or audio/video advertisement meant to attract voters.
“The respondents (NCP Ajit Pawar) are directed to issue a public notice in the newspapers in English, Marathi, Hindi editions notifying that the allocation of the ‘clock’ symbol is subjudice and the respondents shall be permitted to use the same subject to the final outcome of the proceedings,” the SC bench stated.
The bench agreed with senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi who, appearing for senior Pawar, pressed for recognition of his faction and also that the ‘trumpet’ symbol be not allotted to any party or independent candidate. The court, however, did not allow his plea that Ajit faction be not allowed to use the ‘clock’ symbol which he said was inextricably linked with the NCP founder.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and lawyer Abhikalp Pratap Singh, representing Ajit's faction, argued before the Supreme Court that the Election Commission (EC), after considering both factions, issued a final order recognising Ajit's faction as the legitimate Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).