Stand on your own legs; why use Sharad Pawar's name? Supreme Court to Ajit Pawar NCP faction

Why is the name of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) supremo Sharad Pawar being repeatedly used in online content put up by Ajit Pawar-led NCP, the Supreme Court asked on Wednesday amidst heated ongoing campaigning in Maharashtra for the upcoming Assembly polls [Sharad Pawar v. Ajit Anantrao Pawar and anr].A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan remarked that both the factions should focus on their side of battlefield. It emphasised that voters are wise enough to see through any confusions.The Court commented that Ajit Pawar-led faction should not depend on Sharad Pawar's name in the election fight."You try to stand up on your own legs, now that you have ideological difference with Sharad Pawar," it remarked..The top court had earlier directed the Ajit Pawar-led faction to add a disclaimer in its election ads clarifying that the use of clock symbol was subject to the outcome in the legal proceedings with the Sharad Pawar-led faction over the ownership of the party symbol.During the previous hearing, the Ajit Pawar faction had said it would publish fresh Marathi disclaimers in newspapers regarding use of clock symbol for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls.It is Sharad Pawar's case that the Ajit Pawar faction has engineered 'large scale confusion' in the minds of voters by using the clock symbol without any disclaimer.Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi with Advocate Pranjal Agarwal, representing the Sharad Pawar-led function, submitted today that Ajit-Pawar led faction was continuing to piggybank on the veteran leader's goodwill.Singhvi said that Ajit Pawar faction was not complying with the apex court order.There should not have been a single ad without disclaimer, he said while demanding strict action against the Ajit Pawar-led faction. .At this, the Court observed that people are wise enough to differentiate between Sharad and Ajit Pawar."We cannot be judge of how voters think," Justice Kant said.Adding to it, Justice Bhuyan said,"We should not underestimate voters also.".When the Court questioned whether Sharad Pawar-led faction thinks voters of Maharashtra do not know of the rift between the party, Singhvi said,"Look at to differently. Idea is to say Pawar family is one and votes are sought on that name. Why are you doing this?"However, after Singhvi hhighlighted use of Sharad Pawar's picture in a video put up by Ajit Pawar-led NCP, the Court asked,"Dr. Singhvi seems to be right on this - even if old video, why is Sharad Pawar's name being repeatedly used?".Senior Advocate Balbir Singh, representing the Ajit Pawar-led faction said, it was on an old Facebook page.The Court did not seem impressed with the submission and said,"You must ensure compliance for both old and new. You try to stand up on your own legs, now that you have ideological difference with Sharad Pawar."It further, said,"You (Singh) find out about those videos and do not use videos saying Sharad Pawar. Have a distinct political identity."However, the Court also remarked that both sides should concentrate on their side of battlefield."People of this country are very wise and know how to vote and can differentiate who is Sharad and Ajit Pawar. Order of court should be faithfully complied with and respected. We are not sure if videos influence or not and how much," it added.The Court then adjourned the matter to November 19..During the hearing today, the Court witnessed some light moments as it reviewed compliance of its order."One of the ads is immediately below (Donald) Trump, looks quite impressive," Justice Kant quipped, while referring the President-elect of United States (US).Singhvi responded with smile, saying,"Thankfully he has not filed an application here."The Court then said, "We will not comment about other jurisdictions.".Notably, amid a court battle between the two factions on who is the 'real' NCP, the Court had in March this year permitted the Ajit Pawar faction to use the clock symbol for the 2024 parliamentary elections and Maharashtra State elections, albeit with certain conditions.This was after the Election Commission recognised the Ajit Pawar faction as the real NCP following a split in the party.The Sharad Pawar faction challenged the ECI decision before the Supreme Court, which chose to allow Ajit Pawar to retain the symbol until the Court decides which faction should be recognised as the real NCP.The Court in its March 2024 order said that the Ajit Pawar faction could use the clock symbol after issuing a public notice that the said allocation was subject to the apex court's final say on the matter.The Court further directed incorporation of such a disclaimer in every template advertisement and audio and video clips to be issued on behalf this faction of the NCP.The Sharad Pawar faction was asked to use a tutari (trumpet) symbol in its election campaigns for the time being.Sharad Pawar then filed the present plea claiming that the Ajit Pawar faction was not adhering to the conditions set by the Court for use of clock symbol.