Can Sharad Pawar stage a comeback after EC setback?

NCP Chief Sharad

The Election Commission’s decision to grant Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) clock symbol to the Ajit Pawar faction has thrown up a massive challenge for the party's founder and Baramati strongman, Sharad Pawar.

The poll body reasoned that the decision was taken after examining aid-out tests of maintainability of such a petition, which included tests of aims and objectives of the party constitution, test of party constitution, and the tests of majority both organisational and legislative.

The EC’s decision is expected to have major ramifications with the general elections and the Maharashtra state polls just months away.

Let’s examine the options before Sharad Pawar to stage a comeback...

To find a name and a symbol

An immediate challenge for Sharad Pawar is to find a name and symbol for his party, especially since the Rajya Sabha polls are days away and the Lok Sabha and state elections are also approaching.

The poll panel has provided the faction a 'one-time option' to claim a name for its political outfit and provide three preferences by 4pm on February 7.

Baramati MP and Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule said they will submit the preferences as per the EC schedule.

Spreading awareness before polls

Another challenge for the party will be to spread awareness about its new name and symbol with just months to go for the state and national elections.

The electorate, especially in the hinterland, may still identify the clock symbol with Sharad Pawar and unless his camp is able to reach voters across the state and introduce the new party's name and symbol.

The Supreme Court battle

The faction led by Sharad Pawar in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) plans to challenge the Election Commission's order in the Supreme Court. They will also apply for an interim allotment of a new name and symbol as directed by the poll panel. The Pawar camp is likely to give priority to the 'rising sun' symbol.

"We will approach the Supreme Court as it is our last hope. It is our innocent expectation that the Supreme Court will stay the decision of the ECI. We have to stand firm behind Sharad Pawar. The party workers need not worry," said Jayant Patil, who heads the state unit of the NCP (Sharad Pawar) camp.

Will it affect Opposition's fight against BJP?

The NCP supremo is one of the key leaders of the INDIA bloc and the poll panel ruling is unlikely to change that. Uddhav Thackeray, who lost his party name and symbol, following a rebellion that toppled the Shiv Sena-NCP government led by him, continues to be in the INDIA bloc. However, Pawar's bargaining position is likely to take a hit now that he has lost his party to his nephew.

On July 2, 2023, Ajit Pawar, along with his 40 supporters, decided to join the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government. At present, he has the support of two Lok Sabha MPs and one Rajya Sabha MP along with 41 MLAs. Sharad Pawar has the support of two Lok Sabha MPs and three Rajya Sabha MPs along with 14 MLAs.