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The rivalry between two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is affecting the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.
NCP founder Sharad Pawar has approached the Supreme Court to request that Ajit Pawar's faction choose a new election symbol since they currently use the ‘clock’ symbol.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) had previously ruled that Ajit Pawar’s group is the official NCP, leading to disputes over symbol recognition.
Critiques on the Methods Used by the ECI
There are doubts about the ECI's use of the "legislative majority" test to determine which faction is the official NCP, as it may not accurately reflect party strength.
The ECI admitted that tests based on organizational majority and party objectives were inconclusive, raising concerns about its decision-making process.
Sharad Pawar argues that giving the ‘clock’ symbol to one faction may confuse voters, as it has been the party’s symbol for years.
The outcomes of the recent Lok Sabha elections question the reliability of using legislative majority for recognition, as Ajit Pawar’s group performed poorly.
Both the ECI and the Speaker's office may require the Supreme Court’s intervention to ensure fair practices and maintain organizational integrity in political parties.
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