In a major setback to Sharad Pawar, the Election Commission on Tuesday ruled that the Ajit Pawar faction is the real NCP. The poll body has given the Sharad Pawar faction the option to claim a new name for their political party and provide the Commission with three preferences. The Sharad faction can submit its preferences to the Election Commission by 3 pm on February 7, 2024.
In July 2023, Ajit along with 40 NCP MLAs joined the Shinde government in Maharashtra. He was also made the Deputy CM in the coalition government. After rebelling against Sharad, Ajit had claimed that he had the majority of the NCP. Hence, he has the right to the party name and symbol.
Ajit had filed a petition with the Election Commission on June 30, staking claim to the NCP party name and election symbol. On the other hand, Sharad Pawar had demanded that the 9 ministers and 31 MLAs who had left the party be disqualified.
The Election Commission’s decision is a major victory for Ajit Pawar and a setback for Sharad Pawar. It remains to be seen what name and symbol the Sharad Pawar faction will choose for their new party.