At EC Hearing On 'Real NCP' Battle, Ajit Pawar Claims Maximum Support

Sharad Pawar, founder of the Nationalist Congress Party, was present during the Election Commission's personal hearing of the warring groups, which agreed to continue the proceedings on October 9.

The Election Commission met with the feuding factions of the NCP led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar on Friday to discuss their competing claims to the party name and poll symbol, news agency PTI reported. Sharad Pawar, founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was present during the Election Commission's personal hearing of the warring groups, which agreed to continue the proceedings on October 9.

Ajit Pawar, who had filed a petition with the Election Commission claiming the party name and logo, claimed the support of 42 of the 53 MLAs in Maharashtra, six of the nine MLCs, all seven MLAs in Nagaland, and one member each in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared before the poll panel on Sharad Pawar's behalf. Ajit Pawar was represented by senior counsel N K Kaul and Maninder Singh.

Ajit Pawar's section had revolted from NCP leader Sharad Pawar and petitioned the election panel, claiming ownership of the party's name and emblem.

"Under the circumstances, the petitioner submits that he enjoys overwhelming support in the Organisational Wing as well as Legislative Wing of the NCP and therefore the present petition may be allowed by the Hon'ble Commission by recognising the faction led by the petitioner to be the real Political Party," Ajit Pawar said in his submission to the Election Commission, PTI reported.

On Friday, the Ajit Pawar group presented its reasons in favour of their claim to the election panel.

The Ajit Pawar faction's arguments are anticipated to resume on Monday.

Later, Sharad Pawar's lawyer, Singhvi, informed reporters that Ajit Pawar's assertions were fictitious.

On June 30, two days before revolting against uncle Sharad Pawar to join the Maharashtra government in early July, Ajit Pawar contacted the EC claiming the party name and emblem, and subsequently declared himself party president with the backing of 40 MPs.

The Sharad Pawar-led camp recently told the EC that there was no conflict in the party, save for a few mischievous individuals who deserted from the organisation for their personal aspirations, referring to the renegade group led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.