The ongoing political tussle within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) took a significant turn this week as the Supreme Court of India questioned why the name of veteran leader Sharad Pawar was still being prominently used by the faction led by his nephew, Ajit Pawar. The court’s remarks come amid the run-up to Maharashtra's upcoming assembly elections, where both factions of the party are vying for attention and support.
In a hearing on Wednesday, the Supreme Court raised concerns about the repeated use of Sharad Pawar’s name in the Ajit Pawar-led NCP's campaign materials. A bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan told the Ajit Pawar group that they should establish their own identity, separate from the senior Pawar’s influence.
The court emphasised that the elections must be fought on their terms and urged the Ajit Pawar faction to avoid using Sharad Pawar’s pictures and videos in their campaign. It further advised that voters are discerning enough to see through any attempts to create confusion.
The Supreme Court's direction was clear: Ajit Pawar's faction should stand independently, especially given the ideological rift with his uncle Sharad Pawar, who has led the NCP for decades. "You try to stand up on your legs, now that you have ideological differences with Sharad Pawar," the bench remarked.
This comment underlined the need for Ajit Pawar’s faction to carve out its own path without relying on the popularity and legacy of the senior Pawar, who remains a towering figure in Maharashtra politics.
The issue at hand is not just a matter of names but also the broader political implications of the rivalry between the two factions. The top court had previously directed the Ajit Pawar faction to publish a disclaimer in newspapers, including Marathi dailies, acknowledging that the use of the ‘clock’ symbol – which has historically been associated with the NCP – remains a matter under legal dispute.
The order was issued after a dispute over which faction should be recognized as the legitimate NCP, with the Election Commission siding with the Ajit Pawar group based on its legislative majority. This recognition came with the allocation of the ‘clock’ symbol, further intensifying the rivalry between the two camps.
Sharad Pawar’s faction, which has continued to oppose this move, has alleged that Ajit Pawar’s camp is violating the top court's instructions. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sharad Pawar’s faction, accused Ajit Pawar's group of attempting to ride on the goodwill and legacy of Sharad Pawar.
Singhvi argued that the use of Sharad Pawar’s image in campaign materials is in clear violation of the court’s order, which had explicitly asked the Ajit Pawar group to refrain from doing so.
In response to these accusations, the Supreme Court reminded both factions that the public, and especially voters, are capable of distinguishing between the two Pawars.
The bench underlined that the people of Maharashtra are politically astute and can differentiate between the two factions. "We should not underestimate voters also," the bench stated. It went on to emphasise that the instructions of the court should be followed meticulously and respected by both sides.
The court also acknowledged the complexities of using videos in political campaigns, noting that it was unclear how much influence such materials might have on voters.
This legal and political battle is a continuation of the deep divide within the NCP that emerged after Ajit Pawar’s defection to the BJP-led government in Maharashtra in 2019.
The rift between the two factions became more pronounced in recent months, especially after the Election Commission recognized Ajit Pawar’s faction as the legitimate NCP, allotting it the ‘clock’ symbol.
Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar's faction continues to maintain its distinct identity, using the name "Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Chandra Pawar" and a different symbol, the "man-blowing turha."
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