As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach in November, tensions within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are rising. The Sharad Pawar faction has taken significant steps by approaching the Supreme Court. They aim to block the Ajit Pawar faction from using the ‘Clock’ symbol, long associated with the party.
Moreover, this legal move responds to increasing calls from NCP(SP) leaders for equal treatment of both factions. The Sharad Pawar camp has received a new election symbol. In contrast, Ajit Pawar’s faction continues to use the ‘Clock’, which has historical ties to the party’s identity. Reports indicate that the Ajit Pawar faction exploits public confusion over the symbol’s connection to Sharad Pawar.
Additionally, the latest petition, filed on September 25, raises concerns about potential voter confusion during the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections. Live Law reports that the NCP(SP) urges the Supreme Court to require the Ajit Pawar faction to secure a new symbol for these elections.
The court will hear the case on October 15, with Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan presiding. The outcome could have significant implications for both factions as they prepare for the electoral battle.
The rift within the NCP became evident in July 2023. At that time, Ajit Pawar and several MLAs aligned with the Shiv Sena–BJP government. This decision led to a split in the party founded by Sharad Pawar. Before this division, the ‘Clock’ symbol represented the NCP’s identity.
In February 2024, the Election Commission allocated the ‘Clock’ symbol and the NCP name to Ajit Pawar’s faction. Conversely, in March, the Supreme Court allowed the Sharad Pawar faction to use the name ‘Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar’ and the symbol of a ‘man blowing turha’ (a traditional trumpet). The court also clarified that Ajit Pawar’s faction cannot use Sharad Pawar‘s name or image for political gain.
With the stakes high, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar emphasized that the Maharashtra elections must occur before the legislative assembly term ends. This requirement follows discussions with 11 political parties.
As the election date draws closer, all eyes will focus on both the courtroom and the campaign trail. Ultimately, the battle for Maharashtra’s political future is intensifying, and the outcome will shape the landscape for years to come.
Kolkata: On Friday, January 10, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members demonstrated against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her actions after the ED raids at the I-PAC office and its chief Pratik Jain's home. | In relation to an alleged coal smuggling case that stretches back a few years, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and Pratik Jain's home on Loudon Street in Kolkata on Thursday, January 8, 2025. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a protest against the ED raids on I-PAC after the raid set off a political storm in the state. Why is a chief minister endorsing Pratik Jain, and who is he? Pratik Jain, a political strategist and co-founder of I-PAC, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. He is credited with helping I-PAC grow into one of the most significant political consulting organizations in India. I-PAC was established in 2015 and offers services like data-driven campaign management, support for governance, and voter outreach initiatives. It has collaborated with a number of Indian political groups throughout the years, notably West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC). I-PAC reportedly collaborates closely with Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, and his office. The company oversees the IT and media division of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and is in charge of creating its election campaigns. Mr. Jain was in charge of the Trinamool Congress's IT cell, according to Ms. Banerjee. According to his LinkedIn page, Jain, an engineering graduate from IIT Bombay, started his career as an analyst at the consulting firm Deloitte. He was one of the first members of Citizens of Accountable Governance, which later evolved into I-PAC. Arvind Kejriwal, M.K. Stalin, Jaganmohan Reddy, Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, and Nitish Kumar are just a few of the prominent figures with whom the political consultancy firm has collaborated.…
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