New Delhi: The Election Commission handed over the name and election symbol of the party to the Ajit Pawar faction.
The Election Commission’s decision came today regarding the ongoing dispute between the Sharad Pawar faction and Ajit Pawar faction in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) regarding the name and election symbol of the party. Considering Ajit Pawar as the real faction, the Election Commission handed over the name and election symbol of the party to the Ajit Pawar faction. Sharad Pawar faction has to give 3 names to the Election Commission by 4 pm on 7th February.
This is being considered a big blow for Sharad Pawar before the Lok Sabha elections.
Election Commission's decision on Nationalist Congress Party (NCP):
Last year, after Ajit Pawar rebelled, the issue was that who actually has the right over the NCP? The Election Commission was hearing this for 6 months and after about 10 hearings, the Election Commission gave its verdict and declared Ajit Pawar faction as the real NCP. The poll panel said the decision was taken after prescribed tests of the sustainability of the petition, which included the test of the aims and objectives of the party, the test of the party constitution and the test of both organizational and legislative majority.
The Election Commission has provided a option to the Sharad Pawar faction to claim a name for its new political formation and provide three preferences to the Commission. The commission has asked to give 3 names by 4 pm on Wednesday.
According to the Election Commission, Sharad Pawar faction could not prove majority on time, due to which things did not go in their favor. Keeping in mind the deadline for elections for 6 Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar faction has been given special concession to follow Rule 39AA of the Conduct of Elections Rules 1961. He has been asked to give three names for the formation of a new party by the evening of 7th February.
The hearing between the factions led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar started on July 1 last year. Mukul Rohatgi, Neeraj Kishan Kaul, and Maninder Singh appeared on behalf of the petitioner and Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Devdutt Kamat appeared on behalf of the respondent.
What did Ajit Pawar say after getting the name and election symbol of NCP?
After the Election Commission’s decision, NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, “The Election Commission has given the decision in our favor after hearing the arguments of our lawyers. We humbly welcome it.”
The party’s working president Praful Patel said, “We welcome the decision of the Election Commission. The election symbol is important for any political party. It is possible that tomorrow this decision will be challenged in the Supreme Court, High Court.” “We have nothing to say in this. We welcome the decision of the Election Commission.”
What Supriya Sule said on Election Commission's NCP decision:
Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule, reacting to the Election Commission’s decision, said, “I think what happened with Shiv Sena is what is happening with us today. So, this is not a new order. Just the names have been changed but the content is the same.”
#WATCH | Delhi | On Ajit Pawar getting the NCP name and symbol, Sharad Pawar's daughter and MP Supriya Sule says, "...I think what happened with Shiv Sena is what is happening with us today. So, this is not a new order. Just the names have been changed but the content is the… pic.twitter.com/fGq8I0AgpW
— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2024
Where did the NCP controversy start:
Last year, there was a split in the Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar. Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar had left him along with 30 MLAs. After this he joined the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) led government. He has been made Deputy Chief Minister. Along with this, many of his colleagues have also been given place in the cabinet.