Sharad Pawar says a ‘strange situation’ is arising, seeks urgent hearing in Supreme Court

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar on Friday appealed to the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing of his case, saying a “strange situation “ is arising by which he will be subject to the whip of his politically estranged nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Mr. Sharad Pawar had earlier moved the Supreme Court against the decision of the Election Commission of India to recognise Mr. Ajit Pawar’s breakaway faction as the ‘real’ NCP

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar on Friday appealed to the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing of his case, saying a “strange situation “ is arising by which he will be subject to the whip of his politically estranged nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Mr. Sharad Pawar had earlier moved the Supreme Court against the decision of the Election Commission of India to recognise Mr. Ajit Pawar’s breakaway faction as the ‘real’ NCP. Mr. Ajit Pawar had joined the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition government.

Appearing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, for the elder Pawar, said his client’s faction had still not been allotted a symbol.

“A strange situation is upon us. Sharad Pawar will be subject to the whip of Ajit Pawar when the Assembly starts next week,” Mr. Singhvi submitted.

He said the circumstances were “worse” than what the Uddhav Thackeray faction had faced within the Shiv Sena when Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde had rebelled with his camp of MLAs.

The Chief Justice assured that he would look into the plea for early listing.

Mr. Ajit Pawar has already filed a caveat through advocate Abhikalp Pratap Singh in the Supreme Court, urging it to be heard before any order is passed in the special leave petition filed by the elder Pawar.