Today, On 13th November, The Supreme Court questioned Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, asking why they need to “stand on Sharad Pawar’s name” instead of building their own identity. The Sharad Pawar faction argues that Ajit Pawar is causing “large-scale confusion” among voters by using the clock symbol without a clear disclaimer about the factional dispute.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court questioned the frequent use of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar’s name in online content by the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction amid intense campaigning in Maharashtra’s Assembly elections.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan advised both factions to “focus on their side of the battlefield,” stressing that “voters are wise enough to see through any confusions.”
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The Court further remarked to Ajit Pawar’s faction,
“You try to stand up on your own legs, now that you have ideological differences with Sharad Pawar.”
The Supreme Court previously instructed the Ajit Pawar-led faction to include a disclaimer in its election advertisements, indicating that the use of the clock symbol depends on the outcome of the ongoing legal dispute with the Sharad Pawar-led faction regarding the party symbol’s ownership.
In a prior hearing, the Ajit Pawar faction stated that it would publish new disclaimers in Marathi newspapers concerning the clock symbol for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.
Sharad Pawar asserts that the Ajit Pawar faction has created “significant confusion” among voters by using the clock symbol without any disclaimer.
During today’s proceedings, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Sharad Pawar faction, argued that the Ajit Pawar faction continues to benefit from the goodwill associated with the veteran leader.
Singhvi emphasized that the Ajit Pawar faction has not followed the Supreme Court’s order, claiming that there should not have been a single advertisement released without the necessary disclaimer, and he called for strict measures against the Ajit Pawar-led faction.
The Supreme Court addressed ongoing concerns on Wednesday regarding the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction’s repeated use of Sharad Pawar’s name and image in online campaign content.
Justice Surya Kant remarked,
“People are wise enough to differentiate between Sharad and Ajit Pawar,”
Adding that,
“The Court cannot be judge of how voters think.”
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan further noted,
“We should not underestimate voters also.”
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Sharad Pawar faction, argued that Ajit Pawar’s campaign implies the Pawar family is unified to secure votes, even though ideological differences exist. Singhvi highlighted instances of Sharad Pawar’s image being used in videos, prompting the Court to question why this imagery persists, with Justice Kant stating,
“Dr. Singhvi seems to be right on this – even if old video, why is Sharad Pawar’s name being repeatedly used?”
The Court urged Ajit Pawar’s side to ensure compliance across old and new materials, maintaining,
“You must ensure compliance for both old and new. You try to stand up on your own legs, now that you have ideological differences with Sharad Pawar.”
The Court reiterated that each faction should “focus on their side of the battlefield” and respect the public’s discernment.
Justice Kant lightheartedly noted an advertisement’s placement “immediately below Trump,” leading Singhvi to respond with a smile, “Thankfully he has not filed an application here.”
Amid the dispute over the NCP’s “real” identity, the Court previously permitted the Ajit Pawar faction to use the clock symbol with conditions, including disclaimers clarifying the factional split.
The Sharad Pawar faction’s current plea claims non-compliance with these conditions by the Ajit Pawar faction, and the matter is now adjourned until November 19.