2 days before oath, Ajit Pawar moved EC, sought recognition as ‘real NCP’

The EC has also received an undated letter claiming Ajit Pawar’s election as NCP president.

Written by Damini Nath

New Delhi | Updated: July 6, 2023 09:10 AM IST

3 min read

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar with Chhagan Bhujbal, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and others during a press conference, in Mumbai on Monday. (Express Photo By Ganesh Shirsekar)

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Two days before he was sworn-in as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister on Sunday, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar had written to the Election Commission of India (EC) on June 30, seeking recognition of his faction as the real NCP, a source in the poll panel said on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the EC also received nearly 40 affidavits from NCP MPs, MLAs and MLCs, all of them dated June 30, the source said.

The EC has also received an undated letter claiming Ajit Pawar’s election as NCP president.

Ajit, nephew of NCP president Sharad Pawar, joined the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra on Sunday; eight other NCP legislators owing allegiance to him also took oath as ministers.

Sharad Pawar has taken action against the rival group by removing them from party membership.

In Political Pulse | Ajit rebellion a body blow to Sharad Pawar, Oppn unity project but NCP chief strikes a defiant tone

According to the source, Ajit Pawar sent a petition dated June 30 to the EC under Para 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, which deals with the poll panel’s “power in relation to splinter groups or rival sections of a recognised political party”. The para says the EC can decide, after taking into account all available facts and hearing representatives of all sections, if one or none of the groups is indeed that recognised party.

Three days later, on July 3, the EC received an email from NCP’s Maharashtra unit president Jayant Patil filing a caveat, the source said. The source said Patil, who is in the Sharad Pawar camp, also sent a letter to the EC on July 3, informing the panel that disqualification proceedings against the nine MLAs had been initiated before the “competent authority” — the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker.

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The EC will take into account the communications received and take action as per the legal provisions, the source added.

Earlier this year, the EC had decided the dispute between two factions of the Shiv Sena — led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray. The Shinde group had moved the EC in 2022, staking claim to the party name and symbol.

In February 2023, the EC decided in favour of the Shinde camp, relying on the test of the majority.

Damini Nath

Damini Nath is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. She covers the housing and urban affairs and Election Commission beats. She has 11 years of experience as a reporter and sub-editor. Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she was a reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau covering culture, social justice, housing and urban affairs and the Election Commission. Expertise Key Coverage Areas: Damini Nath currently specializes in reporting on two crucial beats: Housing and Urban Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis and reporting on India's urban development, policy, and housing issues. Election Commission (EC): Offering authoritative coverage of electoral processes, policies, and the functioning of India's constitutional body responsible for conducting elections. Professional Background: Her extensive experience includes roles as a reporter and sub-editor, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the journalistic process from fieldwork to final production. Previous Role: Before joining The Indian Express in 2022, she served as a dedicated reporter with The Hindu’s national bureau, where her reporting portfolio included: Culture Social Justice Housing and Urban Affairs The Election Commission beat (a consistent area of focus). Trustworthiness Damini Nath's decade-plus career at two of India's most respected and authoritative news institutions, The Indian Express and The Hindu, underscores her commitment to factual, impartial, and high-quality reporting, establishing her as a trusted and credible source for news on urban governance and electoral matters. ... Read More

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