Supreme Court to Hear NCP Election Symbol Dispute

The Supreme Court announced it will hear the ongoing dispute over election symbols between the Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar factions of the National Congress Party (NCP). The matter, tied to the upcoming Maharashtra legislative assembly elections, is set for hearing on October 1.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to hear the dispute over election symbols between the Ajit Pawar faction of the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sharad Pawar faction. The hearing is scheduled for October 1. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Ujjal Bhuyan will oversee the matter.

The urgency of the hearing was emphasized by the counsel for the Sharad Pawar faction, citing the impending Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha elections and the court vacations. Sharad Pawar's counsel stated that Ajit Pawar had recently called Sharad Pawar "his God" and assured they were "all together". However, the Sharad Pawar faction claims Ajit Pawar's group is not complying with a prior court order and requested that Ajit Pawar's faction be directed to apply for a fresh election symbol.

Previously, the Sharad Pawar group challenged the Election Commission's February 6 decision to recognize the Ajit Pawar faction as the legitimate NCP and grant them the party's 'clock' symbol. On March 19, the Supreme Court allowed the Ajit Pawar faction to use the symbol under certain conditions, including public declarations that its use is sub-judice. They are also restricted from using Sharad Pawar's name and images in campaign materials.

The upcoming Maharashtra legislative assembly elections will be a contest between the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition and the Maha Yuti Alliance. Key players include UBT Shiv Sena, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Congress, BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). The Election Commission of India has yet to announce the election dates.

(With inputs from agencies.)