The Supreme Court has raised questions regarding the Ajit Pawar faction's use of veteran leader Sharad Pawar's photos for campaigning, despite being officially recognized as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) by the Election Commission of India.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan asked the Ajit Pawar group to file an undertaking that they will refrain from directly or indirectly using Sharad Pawar's name.
Furthermore, the bench suggested that the Ajit Pawar faction opt for a symbol other than the 'clock' to avoid any confusion during elections. The court emphasized the importance of sticking to their new identity as a separate political party and questioned the rationale behind using Sharad Pawar's image for campaigning.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Sharad Pawar faction, highlighted posters displayed by the Ajit Pawar faction featuring the 'clock' symbol and Sharad Pawar's image, alleging blatant deception and misuse of goodwill.
He stressed the fundamental principles of democracy and fair elections, urging the Ajit Pawar faction to establish their new identity independently.
In response, the bench questioned the Ajit Pawar faction's use of Sharad Pawar's photographs and emphasized the need for accountability in controlling party members' actions. The court requested an undertaking from the Ajit Pawar group to cease using Sharad Pawar's photos for campaigning.
The bench also suggested issuing public notices to establish the new identities of both factions clearly. Singhvi objected to the Election Commission's decision to allot the 'clock' symbol to the Ajit Pawar group, advocating for a different symbol to avoid association with Sharad Pawar's identity.
The Supreme Court highlighted the ongoing challenge against the Election Commission's decision regarding the symbol allocation and recommended selecting a different symbol to prevent complications during the election process.
Previously, the apex court had directed that the Election Commission's order allotting the party name 'Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar' to the Sharad Pawar faction would continue until further orders.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court's intervention underscores the need for clarity and adherence to electoral norms to ensure fair and transparent elections. Both factions are urged to respect the legal process and uphold the integrity of democratic principles.
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