Supreme Court Gives Ajit Pawar Camp 36-Hour Deadline to Issue Election Symbol Disclaimer

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reviewed an application filed by the Sharad Pawar faction of NCP seeking a temporary change for the election symbol used by the Ajit Pawar-led camp, requesting that it must be different from the traditional clock symbol for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.

During the hearing, the apex court observed that the Ajit Pawar faction had not complied with previous court orders and issued a 36-hour deadline for corrective action. The matter is scheduled for a follow-up hearing on November 13, just a week before the assembly elections. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Ujjal Bhuyan addressed the dispute between the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions regarding the clock symbol, which is currently reserved for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

The justices urged both groups to direct their focus towards voters, rather than engaging in prolonged court disputes. “Don’t waste your energy in courts. Go out and connect with voters to gain their support,” the bench advised. In response, the Ajit Pawar faction claimed it had adhered to the court's directives, having issued 52 notifications as required. However, Justice Datta, questioned the adequacy of this effort, pointing out, “We have photographs of hoardings here. Can you indicate where the disclaimer or declaration is visible?”

The court further expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in publishing the disclaimer in newspapers and ordered that it be issued in Marathi, Hindi, and English editions within 36 hours, with proof to be presented at the next hearing.

In an earlier ruling, the Supreme Court had mandated that the Ajit Pawar-led faction publish a disclaimer clarifying that the clock symbol's usage is subject to the outcome of pending proceedings. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, which uses the ‘Man Blowing Turha’ symbol, is also bound by this order and instructed not to use the clock symbol.

The court reiterated the need for both factions to ensure their members and candidates comply with the directive.​