Election Commission’s Note: Tutari Declared Symbol for Sharad Pawar’s Group After NCP Split

Mumbai, 23rd February 2024: After the split in the Nationalist Congress Party, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar secured the main party and the clock symbol. Consequently, while Sharad Pawar’s faction has been named NCP Sharad Chandra Pawar, the Election Commission announced late tonight that the symbol for Sharad Pawar’s group will be the Tutari (blowhorn). This development raises the question of whether Sharad Pawar’s blowhorn will resonate in the upcoming elections.

Following the split in the NCP party after Shiv Sena, 41 MLAs aligned with Ajit Pawar’s group, leaving only 13 MLAs with Sharad Pawar. Both groups gained 2 MPs each. Ajit Pawar’s faction obtained the NCP party and the clock symbol after a court hearing to determine party ownership and as per the decision by the Assembly Speaker. This signifies that Sharad Pawar will need to rebuild from the ground up.

Recently, the Election Commission designated Sharad Pawar’s group as NCP Sharad Chandra Pawar. However, the Ajit Pawar group contested the name “Sharad Chandra Pawar,” demanding its removal. The court ruled against Ajit Pawar’s group, affirming that it has no authority to dictate, and retained Sharad Pawar’s group’s name. Subsequently, the Election Commission granted the Tutari symbol to Sharad Pawar’s group.

While the court battle over the NCP party continues, Sharad Pawar’s group will use the Tutari symbol. In the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections, candidates from Sharad Pawar’s group will compete under the Tutari symbol. The success of this symbol will be closely observed.