Sharad’s party gets new name: It is Nationalist Congress Party — Sharadchandra Pawar
Symbol to be decided after battle in SC
3 min read
The Sharad Pawar group had submitted three options to the ECI on Wednesday, namely Nationalist Congress Party — Sharadchandra Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party — Sharadrao Pawar and NCP — Sharad Pawar. (Express Photo by Anil Sharma)
The party of veteran politician Sharad Pawar will be named Nationalist Congress Party — Sharadchandra Pawar. The development comes a day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) awarded the original party name Nationalist Congress Party and its symbol “clock” to rebel group led by Sharad Pawar’s nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
In its order, the ECI asked Sharad Pawar group “for the purposes of forthcoming election to Rajya Sabha in Maharashtra, to claim a new name to its new political formation and provide three preferences for the purpose of the biennial election to six seats in the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra”. The ECI has asked to submit it by 4 pm of February 7 (Wednesday).
The Sharad Pawar group had submitted three options to the ECI on Wednesday, namely Nationalist Congress Party — Sharadchandra Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party — Sharadrao Pawar and NCP — Sharad Pawar.
Based on these options, the ECI granted the first name to the party. While granting the name, ECI said in a letter to Sharad Pawar, “In this connection, it is to mention that the competent authority, in pursuance and confines of Para 143 of its final order referred above, has acceded to your first preference, ie., Nationalist Congress Party — Sharadchandra Pawar, as the name of your group/ faction as a one-time option for the purposes of forthcoming election to 6 seats in Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra…”
The party has, however, not yet submitted the options for symbol. Sources within the party said that Rajya Sabha election does not need symbol. “This arrangement is for Rajya Sabha election. We are approaching the Supreme Court in the coming days and since we are strong on merits, we expect a verdict in our favour,” said a leader from Sharad Pawar’s party.
Supporters of Sharad Pawar outside the NCP head office as they wait for the leaders to unveil the new name and symbol of the party in Mumbai on Wednesday. (Express Photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee )
The leader added that the party will apply for new symbol, if needed, only when required. “We could have three options in the Supreme Court. We will get a stay on the Election Commission order or the clock symbol will be frozen and both of us will be asked to start afresh… or the present commission order will remain in effect. Once this is clear, we will select a new symbol, if required,” said the leader.
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