Maharashtra Elections 2024: Fresh twist in NCP battle as Sharad Pawar moves SC against nephew Ajit

Sharad Pawar has cited his long association with the NCP and his role as party president in his plea in court. (File photo: PTI)

Senior Maharashtra leader Sharad Pawar has moved the Supreme Court seeking to restrain his estranged nephew Ajit Pawar from using the 'clock' symbol of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) during the Assembly elections scheduled to be held later this year.

Arguing that the measure would bring clarity and fairness in the electoral process, Sharad Pawar argued that Ajit Pawar should apply for a new election symbol to avoid confusion among voters. The two family members have been locked in a bitter battle over the last two years over the claim to the party name and symbol.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India had temporarily granted the "Man Blowing a Turha" symbol to the Sharad Pawar faction of the party. The Ajit faction, on the other hand, was granted the iconic 'clock' symbol that has traditionally been associated with the NCP.

The plea filed by Sharad Pawar claims that there was confusion among voters regarding the party's poll symbol during the general elections and argued that the issue could become bigger if the Ajit faction continues to use the clock symbol.

In his plea before the top court, Sharad Pawar has cited his 25-year-old association with the party and his leadership as national president. Allowing Ajit Pawar to use the 'clock' symbol, he says in the his plea, would mislead voters and disrupt the fairness of the elections.

“To ensure a fair contest and prevent any bad-faith actors from exploiting voter confusion, Ajit Pawar must be required to select a different symbol,” the plea stated.

The plea may be taken up for hearing on October 15, media reports said.