ECI May Take Shiv Sena Like Decision For NCP: Sharad Pawar Allays Fears Of Losing Party Symbol

NCP president Sharad Pawar has allayed fears that his faction of the party could lose the party symbol, the clock. Pawar said that he has submitted his response to the Election Commission in relation to this matter, and is confident that the party will be able to retain its symbol.

''I have replied to the notice sent by the Election Commission. Looking at the decision that came up in regards to the Shiv Sena (whose poll symbol was given to rebel faction led by Eknath Shinde), our party symbol (clock) seems to be in danger. But I don't care for symbol as I have contested elections on many symbols like bullock pair, cow and calf, and won,'' he said.

The rebel NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar has formally approached the Election Commission to request the party symbol of the clock, further intensifying the internal strife within the party.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has granted an additional three-week extension to both warring factions of the NCP. This extension allows them more time to respond to the notice regarding the party's name and official symbol. Both factions, one under the leadership of Sharad Pawar and the other led by his nephew Ajit Pawar, had requested a four-week extension to present their responses to the Election Commission's inquiries regarding their respective claims.

Earlier in July, the poll authority had issued notices to the rival factions, urging them to exchange documents that substantiate their claims to being the genuine NCP party.

On July 5, the Election Commission had received affidavits from 40 MPs, MLAs, and MLCs, along with a resolution from the rebel faction members declaring Ajit Pawar as the NCP chief. This resolution was dated June 30, merely two days before Ajit Pawar orchestrated a surprising revolt within the NCP, leading to his appointment as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra along with eight ministers.

While the Sharad Pawar-led faction has opted to await the commission's acknowledgment of their claims, the situation remains dynamic and continues to attract attention.