Ajit Pawar faction should not use Sharad Pawar's picture

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Ajit Pawar faction, which has been officially recognised as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) by the Election Commission of India, as to why it is using veteran leader Sharad Pawar's photos for campaigning.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan also asked the Ajit Pawar group to file an undertaking that they will not directly or indirectly use the name of Sharad Pawar.

It further suggested that the Ajit Pawar group use a symbol other than the 'clock' for elections so that there won't be any confusion.

The bench told counsel appearing for Ajit Pawar faction, "You are a different political party now. You have chosen not to be with him. Now stick to this. Why to use his (Sharad Pawar) picture... Go with your own identity now..."

The apex court also issued notice to the Ajit Pawar faction and sought its reply by Saturday on an application of the Sharad Pawar group on 'misuse' of name, and pictures to appeal voters.

The apex court fixed the application for further hearing on March 19.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Sharad Pawar against the Election Commission's recognition of Ajit Pawar's faction as the original NCP. Sharad Pawar faction's lawyer Abhishek Singhvi informed the court that the clock symbol is historically associated with the party.

Earlier, the apex court had directed that the Election Commission's order of February 7 allotting 'Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar' as the party name for the Sharad Pawar faction will continue till further orders.

The Ajit Pawar faction joined the NDA in July 2023. Following this, Ajit Pawar became the Deputy Chief Minister in the Maharashtra government.