Ajit Pawar's faction is real Nationalist Congress Party, says Election Commission

File photo for representation

The Election Commission has officially recognized Ajit Pawar's faction as the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), citing a "test of legislative majority" as a determining factor in the decision. This move comes after disputed internal organizational elections within the NCP.

"This Commission holds that the faction led by the Petitioner, Sh. Ajit Anantrao Pawar, is the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and is entitled to use its name and reserved symbol "clock" for the purposes of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968," Election Commission's order read.

According to the Election Commission, the Ajit Pawar faction's ability to demonstrate legislative majority played a crucial role in securing the NCP symbol. "'Test of legislative majority' helped Ajit Pawar faction clinch NCP symbol in view of disputed internal organisational elections," newswire PTI reported quoting Election Commission.

Furthermore, the Election Commission has granted special consideration to Sharad Pawar, allowing him to name his new political formation in light of the impending Rajya Sabha elections.

Background

On July 3, 2023, Ajit Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, was sworn in as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, aligning himself with the existing coalition government of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Shortly thereafter, on July 5, he filed a petition with the Election Commission of India, asserting his claim to the 'symbol' and 'name' of the Nationalist Congress Party. He maintained the support of 40 members from Parliament, legislative assembly, and legislative council, citing a resolution passed on June 30, 2023, appointing him as the president of the Nationalist Congress Party.

Initially, Sharad Pawar, the president of the Nationalist Congress Party, played down rumors of a party split. In his initial response, he contended that there was no evidence supporting a division within the Nationalist Congress Party. He also argued that Ajit Pawar's petition should be dismissed as 'mala fide' and 'premature,' emphasizing that Ajit Pawar had not raised any grievances against him or utilized internal party remedies.

The reluctance of the Ajit Pawar faction to submit to the ECI's jurisdiction stems from past ECI decisions on similar intra-party disputes, as these decisions determine the 'real' political party. (With inputs from agencies)