SC orders Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction to publish disclaimer on ‘Clock’ symbol within 36 hours

SC pushes for transparency on NCP symbol controversy

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar to publish a disclaimer within 36 hours regarding the use of the party’s “Clock” symbol, which is currently under dispute. The court instructed the Ajit Pawar faction, which has been recognized by the Election Commission as the “real” NCP, to give wide publicity to its interim orders. The disclaimer must clearly state that the allocation of the clock symbol is sub judice and subject to the outcome of pending proceedings before the court.

A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant emphasized the importance of ensuring the disclaimer reaches a broad audience. The court instructed that the notice be published in major newspapers, including Marathi publications, in order to ensure that the people of Maharashtra are aware of the ongoing legal proceedings regarding the symbol. The move follows an application filed by the Sharad Pawar faction, which is seeking the temporary allocation of a new symbol for the Maharashtra Assembly elections as it contests the use of the clock symbol by Ajit Pawar’s group.

The Supreme Court expressed its dissatisfaction over the delay in complying with its previous orders and warned the Ajit Pawar faction against further postponements. The court reiterated that the disclaimer should clearly state that the use of the clock symbol is subject to the final outcome of the case before the Supreme Court. In an earlier hearing, the court had issued a March 19 interim order, directing the Ajit Pawar faction to publish a notice in English, Marathi, and Hindi newspapers, clarifying that the use of the clock symbol would be contingent upon the court’s ruling. The court also instructed that this declaration should be included in any advertisements, pamphlets, or audio and video clips issued by the Ajit Pawar group.

The clock symbol remains at the center of a fierce legal and political battle between the two factions of the NCP. While the Ajit Pawar-led faction has been recognized by the Election Commission as the legitimate NCP, the Sharad Pawar group has contested this claim and demanded the allocation of a new symbol for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. In its previous orders, the Supreme Court had also clarified that the Sharad Pawar group, which uses the ‘Man Blowing Turha’ symbol, should refrain from using the clock symbol, and that both factions must comply with the court’s directions.

In addition to the symbol dispute, the Sharad Pawar faction has also filed a plea seeking the disqualification of Ajit Pawar faction MLAs who defected and joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government. The Sharad Pawar group argues that these MLAs should be disqualified under anti-defection laws for betraying the party and aligning with the ruling alliance.

The legal battles over the NCP symbol and the defections have deepened the political rift within the NCP, with both factions fighting not only for control of the party but also for influence in Maharashtra’s political arena. The Supreme Court’s ruling on the symbol dispute has significant political ramifications as the parties prepare for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. Ajit Pawar’s faction, backed by the Election Commission’s recognition, has been using the clock symbol in its campaign materials, while the Sharad Pawar group continues to challenge this and demands a different symbol until the legal dispute is resolved.

As the legal proceedings continue, the clock symbol remains a point of contention and a symbol of the ongoing power struggle within one of Maharashtra’s oldest and most influential political parties.

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