'Murder Of Democracy': Sharad Pawar Camp Rues ECI Decision On Real NCP As Ajit Pawar Welcomes It

Sharad Pawar faction's Anil Deshmukh expressed dismay as the ECI chose Ajit Pawar faction as the real NCP. The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister welcomed the decision.

In a significant development, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has resolved the dispute over the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) name and symbol in favour of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's faction. This decision marks the culmination of months of internal strife within the party.

Reacting to the ruling, Maharashtra leader and Sharad Pawar faction's Anil Deshmukh expressed dismay, stating, "Today the Election Commission has given Sharad Pawar's party's name and symbol to Ajit Pawar. A similar decision was taken in the case of Shiv Sena. NCP was founded by Sharad Pawar. He had been the president of the party for years. The Election Commission's decision under pressure is the murder of democracy. This is unfortunate."

 “It was bound to happen, there is nothing new in it. The day they revoked our national party status, we knew this day would come. It was our biggest mistake to take Ajit Pawar back in our party and make him Deputy CM,” NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Jitendra Awhad told news agency PTI.

Echoing similar sentiments, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised the decision and told ANI, "I am not surprised at all. A man who was charged of corruption of worth Rs 70,000 Crores...today stands shoulder to shoulder with the BJP...Ajit Pawar happens to be the Deputy CM of Maharashtra...It goes against the spirit of Schedule 10 of the Constitution...It is sponsored, planned and executed by the Central Government to try and silence those voices which speak for the people of this country, which speak strongly against the growing dictatorial tendencies of the Government."

Criticising the ECI decision, Sena UBT's Aaditya Thackeray took to X and wrote, "When the election commission itself starts to legitimise theft, you know that democracy is doomed. The election commission has now once again proved to be the fraud that it is, Entirely Compromised (EC). They are now showing everyone that we aren’t a free and fair democracy anymore. "

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Welcomes ECI's Decision On NCP Claim

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar welcomed the Election Commission's decision, stating, "Election Commission has ruled in our favour after listening to the arguments of our lawyers. We welcome this humbly", ANI reported.

Addressing a press conference, he said, "...The matter was before the Election Commission. A separate matter is also before the Assembly Speaker. That matter has also been heard...and we hope that we will have the result soon. I welcome the Election Commission's decision. We accept this decision humbly...We are very happy and we thank them."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde remarked that the ED decision was merit as he said, "In a democracy, majority is important. Today, the majority is with Ajit Pawar. So, Election Commission took this decision on merit. Majority has been proven once again in democracy. This is a merit-based decision. Maha Yuti is working in Maharashtra...My best wishes to Ajit Pawar", ANI reported.

Deputy CM and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis congratulated him on the ECI ruling saying, "Deputy Chief Minister Ajitdada Pawar who is a constituent member in our Mahayuti has been granted recognition by the Election Commission as the real NCP awell as the symbol of the clock. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to him, as well as to all our supporters and workers."

The Election Commission's decision firmly establishes Ajit Pawar's faction as the legitimate NCP, putting an end to speculation surrounding the internal power struggle within the party. The commission also allocated the NCP symbol 'Wall Clock' to Ajit Pawar's group.

Explaining the rationale behind its decision, the Election Commission stated that it considered various factors, including the aims and objectives of the party constitution, organizational elections, and legislative majority. The commission noted that both factions were found to be working outside the party constitution and organizational elections. Consequently, the test of majority in the legislative wing favoured Ajit Pawar's faction.

In a gesture to Sharad Pawar's group, the commission granted them a one-time option to claim a name for their political outfit and provide three preferences by Wednesday afternoon, particularly in view of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

Ajit Pawar's defection last year, where he sided with the BJP-Shiv Sena government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Maharashtra, triggered the protracted dispute within the NCP.