Stop using Sharad Pawar name, pic; use your own identity: SC to Ajit faction

The ruling came after senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Sharad Pawar, took up the issue of Ajit Pawar supporters continuing to the photos of the petitioner and clock symbol. “How can they use the clock and also Sharad Pawar’s photo? That’s deception,” Singhvi told the court and referred to a letter by an Ajit group leader, saying the clock symbol and Sharad Pawar photos should be used in rural areas. He said if it was an Intellectual Property Rights matter, it would have been considered a patent deception.

Singhvi said the Ajit group must get votes on its own. “Why piggyback on our goodwill?” he said. Stating that there was substance in Singhvi’s submissions, Justice Kant asked Maninder Singh “why are you using his photo?” adding, “if you are so confident, use your photographs”.

Singh said it was not the party using it and it is difficult to stop workers and online platforms from doing so. “Then who is responsible? It is for you to control your workers,” said Justice Kant. Seeking the undertaking that the party will stop all members from using the photo, he added, “now you are two separate entities, go with your identity. You have chosen to separate. Now stick to it.”

The bench also suggested that the Ajit group consider using any symbol other than clock pending adjudication of the EC decision and the clock symbol being allotted to it. “Tomorrow suppose we set aside this (ECI) order? Let’s say we do this in the middle of the polls, what will happen? Therefore, today, it’s a suggestion from our side. Why don’t you also choose another symbol to conduct your business peacefully? You can continue to use that symbol during elections. We are only saying please explore this idea,” said Justice Kant.

Singh said he will take instructions but pointed out the original NCP’s symbol is being used by the group recognised by EC as Sena.