NCP Releases Declaration on 'Clock' Symbol Amidst SC Deadline

Mumbai- The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar has issued a declaration in Marathi, Hindi, and English regarding the use of the 'Clock' election symbol. This comes after the Supreme Court set a 36-hour deadline for the party to clarify its position on the symbol dispute.

The declaration, published in newspapers on Thursday, states, "The Election Commission of India has allotted the ‘Clock’ symbol to the Ajit Anandrao Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The matter is presently sub judice before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, and subject to the final verdict, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the interim has allowed the NCP to use the ‘Clock’ symbol for all ensuing elections.”

The Supreme Court's directive came during a hearing on Wednesday where the court observed that the NCP had not complied with its earlier order. The court had previously ordered the NCP to clarify that the 'Clock' symbol issue was sub judice. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, which challenged the Election Commission's decision to award the symbol to the Ajit Pawar faction, had requested a new symbol for the rival group.

The Ajit Pawar faction has not only released the declaration in newspapers but has also prominently displayed it on banners and posters. Interestingly, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, in a front-page advertisement in national dailies featuring the election symbols of Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP, included a note stating, "Matter related to ‘Clock’ symbol of the NCP is sub judice in the Supreme Court." This move is seemingly intended to avert any legal challenges during the election campaign.