The Supreme Court of India will hear the ongoing dispute between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar—on October 1, 2024. The primary issue revolves around the use of the party’s election symbol, the “clock,” which has become a contentious point as both factions prepare for the upcoming Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha elections.
The controversy began when the Election Commission of India (ECI), in February 2024, officially recognized Ajit Pawar’s faction as the legitimate NCP and granted them the “clock” symbol. This decision led Sharad Pawar’s group to challenge the ruling, arguing that the symbol’s use is sub-judice, meaning it is still under legal consideration. Despite this, Ajit Pawar’s faction has continued to use the symbol, causing tensions to escalate.
In March 2024, the Supreme Court permitted the Ajit Pawar group to use the symbol temporarily but imposed conditions, such as requiring public declarations that the symbol’s usage is subject to the outcome of the legal battle. Moreover, the court directed Ajit Pawar’s faction not to use Sharad Pawar’s name or image in any campaign material. However, the Sharad Pawar faction alleges that these conditions have not been fully adhered to and has requested fresh directions from the court to resolve the matter.
The urgency of this case is driven by the upcoming Maharashtra elections, where both factions will play critical roles. On one side is the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which includes the Sharad Pawar faction, Congress, and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. On the other is the Maha Yuti Alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
As the Election Commission has not yet announced the election dates, the October 1 hearing will be crucial in determining how the NCP factions will proceed in the elections. The decision could significantly affect the political landscape in Maharashtra, where alliances and symbols carry deep significance.
