New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday said it will consider for early listing of the plea by Sharad Pawar challenging an Election Commission order recognising the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-led faction as the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud took note of the submissions of senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the veteran leader, that the plea needed urgent listing in view of a recent order of the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar.
"Matter of extreme urgency. Because of an Election Commission order, Sharad Pawar will be subject to the whip of Ajit Pawar. Sessions in Maharashtra start next week. We have not been given any symbol at all," the lawyer said.
"Let me see. We will list it," said the bench.
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Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar reaffirmed Ajit Pawar's faction as the legitimate NCP and dismissed calls for the disqualification of either faction's lawmakers.
Sharad Pawar had previously moved the Supreme Court to challenge the ECI's decision to recognise the Ajit Pawar faction as the 'real' NCP and authorise the use of party symbols. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sharad Pawar, has now pressed for an urgent listing of the matter, citing the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Session, which is due to commence on February 20. (Agencies)
