The Election Commission of India recognized Ajit Pawar-led faction as the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and awarded the party name and its ‘clock’ symbol to his camp, dealing a major setback to Sharad Pawar. The EC also gave a one-time concession to the Sharad Pawar-led faction to select a new name and symbol for the party for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections for six seats in Maharashtra. The decision was based on the “test of legislative majority” in the Ajit Pawar faction, which had the support of 57 out of 81 MPs, MLAs, and MLCs of the NCP.
The Sharad Pawar camp termed the ECI order as a “murder of democracy” and announced their intention to approach the Supreme Court against the ruling. Ajit Pawar and his ruling coalition welcomed the decision, while NCP MP and Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule called it the “victory of the invisible power” and stated they will fight and go to the Supreme Court.
The senior Pawar-led group has until 4 pm on 7 February to claim a new name and provide three options to the Election Commission. Sources indicate that the party is likely to finalize a name with the word “nationalist” and is considering options such as “spectacles”, “rising sun”, and “sunflower” for the new symbol. The EC ruling will also impact the party’s bargaining power during seat-sharing talks, and the camp faces the challenge of making people aware of its new name and symbol with just months left for Lok Sabha elections and state Assembly polls.
At the same time, the judgement in the disqualification pleas against MLAs of both NCP factions is still pending, and the ruling is expected by 15 February. The hearing in the case concluded on 31 January.