The Election Commission of India found itself in the midst of a contentious leadership dispute within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The battle, which revolves around who holds the real reins of the party, unfolded during a hearing today between the factions led by veteran politician Sharad Pawar and his nephew, Ajit Pawar, whose rebellion had previously split the NCP.
Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sharad Pawar, voiced his skepticism regarding the arguments presented by Ajit Pawar’s faction during the hours-long hearing. Singhvi pointed out that they had raised a preliminary objection, urging the Election Commission to determine whether a dispute exists or not as a crucial threshold issue. However, the Commission decided not to make that determination at this stage.
Singhvi remarked, “The argument of the other side… is interesting, amazing, and, to me, non-existent in law. They are saying they do not want the organizational test.” He continued by highlighting the NCP cadre’s overwhelming support for Sharad Pawar, who founded and nurtured the party. Ajit Pawar’s faction, according to Singhvi, proposed a novel test that counted the votes of MPs and MLAs, a move he found unprecedented.
During the hearing, Ajit Pawar claimed the support of 42 MLAs, six MLCs, and two MPs from Maharashtra. Senior advocates NK Kaul and Maninder Singh represented Ajit Pawar’s side at the Election Commission. Ajit Pawar submitted to the Commission, “Under the circumstances, the petitioner submits that he enjoys overwhelming support in the Organizational Wing as well as the Legislative Wing of the NCP and therefore the present petition may be allowed by the Hon’ble Commission by recognizing the faction led by the petitioner to be the real Political Party.”
Singhvi countered these claims, asserting that they were merely imaginary and that Ajit Pawar was avoiding established tests to determine the party’s leadership.
The leadership dispute escalated when Ajit Pawar approached the Election Commission on June 30, staking his claim to the NCP’s name and symbol just two days before announcing his rebellion and joining the Maharashtra government.
Prior to the EC hearing, Sharad Pawar met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, indicating efforts to strengthen alliances and garner support in the ongoing political turmoil.
NCP leader Jitendra Awhad, who was present at the hearing, alleged the use of rude words against Sharad Pawar. According to Awhad, Ajit Pawar’s lawyer accused Sharad Pawar of not adhering to democratic values in running the party, further intensifying the tensions within the NCP.
The Election Commission’s decision on this matter will have far-reaching implications for the NCP, potentially affecting its name, symbol, and leadership structure.
Sources By Agencies