The Supreme Court has mandated Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to incorporate a disclaimer in all election publicity materials featuring the “clock” symbol for the forthcoming state assembly elections. This decision came amidst ongoing legal proceedings, highlighting the symbol’s disputed status.
On Thursday, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Ujjal Bhuyan responded to a petition from the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, emphasizing the importance of transparency in electoral campaigns. The court reinforced its earlier directives from March 19 and April 4, requiring public notices in major languages to alert voters that the symbol’s allocation remains contested.
During the session, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Sharad Pawar faction, argued for immediate restraints against the rival group’s use of the symbol without the proper disclaimers. Singhvi accused the Ajit Pawar faction of misleading voters by failing to acknowledge the symbol’s sub-judice status in their campaign materials.
“Nobody should benefit from the goodwill of a symbol that is currently under judicial review,” Singhvi argued before the court.
In response, the bench ordered Ajit Pawar to provide a new undertaking affirming adherence to the court’s instructions throughout the electoral process. The court warned of consequences for any non-compliance, urging both factions to follow legal protocols to avoid further complications.
Balbir Singh, senior advocate for Ajit Pawar, countered these allegations, insisting that all campaign materials had included the mandated disclaimers. “They are presenting false evidence. We have complied fully with the court’s orders, as demonstrated in our campaign pamphlets and documents,” Singh stated.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for November 6, extending a legal battle that reflects deep divisions within the NCP. This dispute traces back to a February 6 ruling by the Election Commission of India, which recognized the Ajit Pawar-led faction as the legitimate NCP, awarding them the iconic “clock” symbol. This decision followed internal conflicts that saw Ajit Pawar secure a majority of party MLAs and align with the BJP-Shiv Sena government under Eknath Shinde.
Earlier in the year, the court allowed the Sharad Pawar faction to use “Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar” as its name and a “turha” blower as its symbol for the Lok Sabha elections, further complicating the party’s public identity.
