The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently ruled on the legal battle between rival Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions in Maharashtra over the official use of the party name and election symbol. The order backed Ajit Pawar’s breakaway group as the legitimate NCP, resulting from a split in the original party founded by Sharad Pawar in 1999.
ECI’s Powers to Decide Intra-Party Disputes
As per the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968, the ECI has quasi-judicial powers to resolve factions or splits within recognized political parties struggling over the official party identity. This allows it to determine:
- The legitimate faction post-split
- Official recognition as the party
- Exclusive right over the party name and existing election symbol
These decisions provide clarity to voters and prevent confusion that could arise from factions retaining the original nomenclature or brand. Similar disputes arose earlier in parties like the Indian National Congress and Shiv Sena which the ECI had also legally arbitrated.
Genesis of the NCP Split
The NCP has faced an internal feud between founder Sharad Pawar and nephew Ajit Pawar since 2021 over leadership issues. This escalated when in June 2022, Ajit Pawar withdrew MLA support from the NCP-led Maharashtra government, enabling BJP’s temporary rule. Though aborted in 3 days, this coup spotlighted cracks within the party. In August 2022, Ajit Pawar formally split and claimed the NCP name and symbol.
Both factions submitted claims to the EC in November 2022 to be recognized as the official NCP. Sharad Pawar’s group argued they still held 40 of 54 MLAs and most elected representatives. Meanwhile Ajit Pawar asserted his breakaway faction enjoyed a majority in state and national executive bodies.
Key Metrics of Support
| Parameter | Team Ajit Pawar | Team Sharad Pawar |
| MLAs from 54 Elected | 12 | 40 |
| Members of State Executive Body | 51/77 | 28/77 |
| Members of National Executive Body | 15/23 | 9/23 |
| District Committees Support | 11/14 | 4/14 |
Ruling in Favor of Ajit Pawar-led Faction
Persuaded by the evidence submitted on organizational backing over legislative strength, the ECI ruled that the split under Ajit Pawar meets the requisite criteria qualifying his splinter group for legal recognition as the official NCP. They were allowed continued use of the party name and ‘clock’ symbol for electoral purposes.
Implications of the Verdict
- Ajit Pawar established as NCP President with Sharad Pawar marginalized as leader of a separate rival political entity.
- The breakaway faction empowered to represent the official NCP in the State Assembly and has staked claim over parliamentary party offices allotted to NCP.
- Ajit Pawar now positioned as the NCP’s Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2024 State polls.
Setback for the Opposition Camp
The ECI recognizing the splinter faction as the legitimate NCP deals a blow to Maharashtra’s opposition unity. Sharad Pawar loses the support base and networks vested in the official party apparatus that cannot be mobilized overnight by building a new party from scratch. This may offer the ruling BJP-Shinde alliance an edge in upcoming electoral battles.
However, given Sharad Pawar’s grassroots equity and respect cutting across party lines, the events also allow him an opportunity to reboot the fragmented opposition by championing a progressive alternative vision for inclusive development in Maharashtra.
The Road Ahead
The ECI verdict on the NCP dispute deals a significant blow to the opposition unity in Maharashtra ahead of key state elections in 2024. While Ajit Pawar has managed an organizational coup that eclipses his uncle Sharad Pawar’s leadership, the events also open up political space for crafting a refreshed opposition agenda centered on equitable governance. Much will hinge on whether Sharad Pawar can galvanize allied parties and farmers’ movements to stitch a potent political alternative to the BJP-Shinde ruling coalition in the state.
