NEW DELHI: Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar has lost the fight for his party’s symbol with the Election Commission giving the clock to his estranged nephew Ajit Pawar on Tuesday.
‘Test of legislative majority’ helped Ajit Pawar faction clinch NCP symbol in view of disputed internal organisational elections, the poll panel said, after more than 10 hearings spread over more than 6 months.

EC provides special concession to Sharad Pawar faction

“Serious inconsistencies in terms of timelines in the claim of the Sharad Pawar group, in support of their claim of having organisational majority, resulted in unreliability of their claim,” the EC said, adding: “Taking into account the significant timeline of the elections to the 6 seats of Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar faction has been given a special concession to comply with Rule 39AA of Conduct of Elections Rules 1961, which allows the authorised agents of political parties to verify as to whom an elector, who is a member of a political party has cast his vote. The Commission thus using its powers has provided Sharad Pawar faction, a one-time option to claim a name to its new political formation and provide three preferences to the Commission. The concession is to be utilised by 3 pm on February 7, 2024.”