In a significant development regarding the leadership dispute within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Supreme Court has intervened, allowing the faction led by Sharad Pawar to continue using the name ‘NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar’ until further notice. Additionally, the apex court has granted Sharad Pawar the liberty to approach the Election Commission for the allocation of the party symbol.
The Supreme Court’s directive came on Monday, following a plea filed by Sharad Pawar against the Election Commission’s order dated February 7, which recognized the group led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as the authentic NCP. The bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan has requested a response from the Ajit Pawar-led faction on Sharad Pawar’s plea.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Sharad Pawar, argued that the Election Commission’s February 7 order was an interim arrangement made specifically for the Rajya Sabha elections until February 27. Singhvi emphasized the urgency of the matter, highlighting the upcoming Maharashtra assembly session scheduled to commence on February 26. He expressed concerns that without a recognized name or symbol, their group would be disadvantaged during the session.
Sharad Pawar sought an urgent hearing in light of recent developments, particularly the order issued on February 15 by Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. Narwekar’s ruling favored the faction led by Ajit Pawar, declaring it as the legitimate NCP and emphasizing that constitutional anti-defection provisions should not be used to suppress internal dissent.
Prior to the Supreme Court’s intervention, the Election Commission had announced on February 7 that the Ajit Pawar faction was the authentic NCP, subsequently assigning the party’s ‘clock’ symbol to this group. However, with the ongoing legal battle and the impending assembly session focusing on the Maratha quota, the leadership dispute has taken on heightened significance.
The Supreme Court’s decision to maintain the status quo regarding the party’s name and symbol until further orders provides temporary relief to Sharad Pawar’s faction. However, the ultimate resolution of the leadership dispute remains uncertain, as the legal and political battles continue to unfold.
Sources By Agencies
