Sharad Pawar Camp Files Caveat In EC Over NCP Symbol And Party Name

Taking the first step in what is expected to be a high-voltage drama in Maharashtra politics, the Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar's camp has filed a caveat in Election Commission over the party symbol and name.

Sharad Pawar's camp has urged the Election Commission not to take any decision on the party's name and symbol before hearing their side.

The move comes a day after both Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar made expulsions from the party and tried to assert their supremacy amid the ongoing fight.

Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar faction is expected to stake claim over the party name and symbol.

The NCP led by Sharad Pawar and the Ajit Pawar camp has convened separate meetings in Mumbai on Wednesday where a clear picture may emerge on the exact number of MLAs backing each group amid the contrasting claims.

The number game

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has 53 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly.

Ajit Pawar will need the support of at least 36 MLAs to not attract the provisions of the anti-defection law. The Ajit Pawar camp on Sunday claimed 36 MLAs had signed the letter of support. The BJP, which is part of the coalition government, has pegged the number of legislators backing Ajit Pawar at more than 40.

The Sharad Pawar camp has claimed that except for the nine MLAs, including Ajit, who joined the government, other MLAs are loyal to the senior Pawar. MLAs Saroj Ahire, Prajakt Tanpure, and Sunil Bhusara who were said to be siding with Ajit Pawar met Sharad Pawar and pledged their support.

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP has already moved a disqualification petition against Ajit Pawar and the eight MLAs who took oath as ministers.

In a tit-for-tat, the Ajit Pawar camp has sought the disqualification of Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad, nominated as the Leader of the Opposition by the Pawar senior. Earlier in the day, sources said Sharad Pawar is seeking legal opinion on tackling the crisis in his party as Ajit Pawar has staked the claim over NCP and its poll symbol, the clock.