SC asks Ajit Pawar's alliance to ‘stand on its own legs’, not to use Sharad Pawar’s name and image

The Supreme Court asked the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) not to use the name or image of veteran politician and NCP founder Sharad Pawar in its political advertisements for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.

The order, issued on Wednesday by a bench presided over by Justice Surya Kant, emphasized that Ajit Pawar’s faction should "stand on its own legs" without relying on Sharad Pawar's name for electoral support.

Previously, the Supreme Court bench, also comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, mandated that the Ajit Pawar faction include disclaimers in all political advertisements indicating that the allocation of the party's clock symbol is sub-judice, pending a final ruling. These disclaimers are to clarify that the clock symbol’s use is subject to the Supreme Court's ultimate decision, a measure aimed at ensuring transparency for voters.

Last week, the Court directed the Ajit Pawar faction to publish these disclaimers prominently in newspapers across Maharashtra, including Marathi-language publications, within a strict 36-hour timeframe. Wednesday's ruling builds on previous interim orders, underscoring the need for transparency and clarity in the party’s campaign materials amid the ongoing legal dispute.

The apex court is currently considering an application from the Sharad Pawar-led faction, which has demanded a temporary suspension of the clock symbol’s allocation to the Ajit Pawar faction. They argue that Ajit Pawar's camp should instead be given a different symbol for the Assembly elections until a final verdict on the party's ownership is reached.

Highlighting the gravity of the orders, the Supreme Court has insisted that all parties involved strictly adhere to the interim orders issued on March 19. In that initial directive, the Court required the Ajit Pawar-led faction to publish a public notice in English, Marathi, and Hindi, indicating that the clock symbol’s use by Ajit Pawar’s faction remains subject to the Court's final ruling.

Furthermore, these disclaimers are to be included across all campaign materials, including pamphlets, advertisements, and audio-visual clips.

The Court also extended its directive to the Sharad Pawar faction, officially recognized as the Nationalist Congress Party–Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP), which is currently campaigning with the ‘Man Blowing Turha’ symbol. The bench reiterated that this faction must also comply with the court orders and avoid any use of the disputed clock symbol.

The Court additionally urged Ajit Pawar’s side to ensure that all party members, workers, office-bearers, and candidates are fully informed of and compliant with the Court’s directives.

The case will next be heard on November 19, with the Supreme Court reiterating the importance of adherence to its orders while observing that voters are astute enough to distinguish between the factions of Sharad and Ajit Pawar.