Supreme Court Allows Ajit Pawar’s NCP to Use ‘Clock’ Symbol in Maharashtra Elections with Disclaimer
In a significant development in the ongoing NCP split saga, the Supreme Court on Thursday (October 24) ruled that Ajit Pawar’s faction can use the iconic ‘clock’ symbol for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections. However, the Court imposed a crucial condition: the symbol’s use must be accompanied by a disclaimer stating that it is a matter of legal dispute and subject to the final outcome of Sharad Pawar’s petition.
Court Warns Against Contempt
The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Ujjal Bhuyan, issued a stern warning that it would initiate suo motu contempt proceedings if its order was violated. The matter will be heard again on November 6.
Sharad Pawar’s Appeal
This ruling comes after Sharad Pawar’s faction filed an application seeking to restrain Ajit Pawar’s group from utilizing the ‘clock’ symbol in the upcoming elections. Sharad Pawar’s lawyers argued that no one should benefit from a symbol that is legally contested, highlighting the lack of a disclaimer in Ajit Pawar’s campaign materials.
Ajit Pawar’s Response
Ajit Pawar’s legal team, represented by Senior Advocate Balbir Singh, refuted these claims, asserting that all their campaign materials clearly display the mandated disclaimer. They offered to present these materials to the Court and requested time to do so.
Court Scrutinizes Campaign Materials
Senior Advocate Dr. AM Singhvi, representing Sharad Pawar, presented screenshots of posters allegedly posted on official NCP and Ajit Pawar’s ‘X’ handles and Facebook pages, claiming they lacked the required disclaimer. He also presented a picture of the NCP party office in Mumbai, allegedly showing a banner without the disclaimer. This sparked a debate on the admissibility of these materials as legal evidence.
Court Emphasizes Compliance
Justice Kant emphasized the importance of compliance with court orders, stating, “Once we have issued a direction, it has to be complied with. You file a response and a fresh undertaking that in the past also you have not violated…and in the future, you won’t violate…We expect both sides to comply with our directions. Don’t create an embarrassing situation for yourselves. If we find there is a deliberate attempt to violate our order, we can initiate suo motu contempt.”
Background of the Dispute
This legal battle stems from a deep rift within the NCP, leading to a split between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar. The Election Commission of India (ECI) recognized Ajit Pawar’s faction as the official NCP and allotted them the ‘clock’ symbol. Sharad Pawar challenged this decision in the Supreme Court.
The Court initially allowed Ajit Pawar’s faction to use the ‘clock’ symbol with the condition of including a disclaimer about the ongoing legal dispute. However, allegations of non-compliance by both sides led to further orders from the Court, including directing the Sharad Pawar faction to use a different symbol for the elections.
Stay Tuned for Updates
The legal battle is far from over, with the next hearing scheduled for November 6. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections and the future of the NCP.