In New Delhi, the Supreme Court raised queries on Thursday regarding the utilization of Sharad Pawar’s image by the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The court questioned the confidence of the Ajit Pawar group in their own popularity and leadership, urging them to stand independently rather than relying on Sharad Pawar’s image. They emphasized the need for a commitment from the Ajit Pawar faction to refrain from using Sharad Pawar’s photograph during campaigning, warning of potential legal intervention if necessary.
Senior advocate A M Singhvi, representing the Sharad Pawar group, questioned the motives behind the Ajit Pawar faction’s decision to associate themselves with Sharad Pawar’s image. He asserted the importance of maintaining a fair electoral process and urged the Ajit Pawar group to establish their own identity without leveraging Sharad Pawar’s reputation.
The bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan, echoed Singhvi’s concerns, emphasizing the need for the Ajit Pawar faction to establish their own distinct identity rather than relying on Sharad Pawar’s image for electoral gains.
The court suggested that both factions should refrain from using each other’s images or symbols during the election campaign to avoid confusion among voters. However, Singhvi expressed reservations about this suggestion, highlighting potential complications associated with implementing such a restriction.
The apex court clarified that it had not yet formed a definitive opinion on the Election Commission’s decision to recognize the Ajit Pawar group as the authentic NCP with the clock symbol. Singhvi argued against the use of Sharad Pawar’s image in campaign materials, emphasizing the need for fairness and clarity in the electoral process.
The bench assured both parties that it would consider their arguments before making a decision on the matter. They suggested that both factions should issue public notices reaffirming their respective identities to avoid further confusion.
The court scheduled the next hearing for March 18 and instructed the Ajit Pawar faction to submit their affidavit by Saturday. The case pertains to a plea filed by Sharad Pawar challenging the Election Commission’s decision to recognize the Ajit Pawar-led faction as the legitimate NCP and allotting them the clock symbol.
Ajit Pawar, currently serving as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, had previously aligned with the BJP-Shiv Sena government led by Eknath Shinde after securing the support of a majority of NCP MLAs.
On February 15, 2024, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar affirmed that Ajit Pawar’s faction was indeed the legitimate NCP, delivering another blow to the Sharad Pawar group.