Team Ajit Pawar can use clock symbol for now, but disclaimer must: Supreme Court

The direction came on a plea filed by Sharad Pawar urging the Supreme Court to bar the Ajit Pawar-led group from using the 'clock' symbol of the NCP.

In Short

• Court asks Ajit Pawar faction to use clock symbol with disclaimer
• Asks party to file undertaking by November 4
• Maharashtra goes to polls on November 20, results three days later

The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP to retain the "clock" symbol ahead of the crucial Maharashtra Assembly election. The top court, however, asked the Ajit Pawar faction to use the symbol with a disclaimer and file a fresh undertaking by November 4 that it wouldn't violate its directions.

"Please file a fresh undertaking that you (Ajit Pawar camp) will not violate our directions till the end of the elections. Don't create embarrassing situation for yourselves. If we find there is a deliberate attempt to violate our order, we can initiate suo motu contempt," the Supreme Court said.

The direction came on a plea filed by Sharad Pawar urging the top court to bar the Ajit Pawar-led group from using the "clock" symbol of the NCP.

Earlier this year, the Election Commission allotted the NCP's "clock" symbol to the group led by Ajit Pawar following a split in the party. In 2023, Ajit Pawar revolted against his uncle and joined the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Supreme Court allowed the Sharad Pawar faction to use "Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar" as its name along with the symbol of a man blowing "turha". However, the top court said the name and photographs of Sharad Pawar could not be used by the Ajit Pawar faction for political gains.

During the hearing on Thursday, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Sharad Pawar, accused the Ajit Pawar faction of not including a disclaimer in its election posters. Singhvi said the rival camp wants an association with Sharad Pawar only to get votes.

"Your lordships have passed orders directing them to put a disclaimer and make it clear that you don't belong to Sharad Pawar and you are a faction completely related to Ajit Pawar. There is no disclaimer from their side," Singhvi said.

"The object is clear - to piggyback on me... Even they accept that their father figure is Sharad Pawar," he said.

Singhvi also pointed out that even the Lok Sabha Secretariat had a temporary confusion regarding the two NCP factions.

"The undertaking given by them is being defied. Do not give me or them the clock. Give them any other symbol. Nobody should enjoy the goodwill of a symbol that is sub-judice," the senior advocate said.

Meanwhile, senior advocate Balbir Singh, appearing for the Ajit Pawar camp, said it had complied with all court instructions.

"They are using false documents. We have given disclaimers... They are just trying their luck again. I am willing to file all the pamphlets and documents that are there," Singh said.

The matter will next be heard on November 4.