'Try to stand on your own legs, don't use Sharad Pawar's photo': SC asks Ajit-led NCP faction
New Delhi: In a hearing on Wednesday, the Supreme Court directed the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to refrain from using images and videos of Sharad Pawar in its campaign materials for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. The Court emphasised that Ajit Pawar’s group should campaign based on its separate identity, advising him to issue instructions to his party members accordingly.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan was addressing an application filed by Sharad Pawar, requesting the Court to prevent Ajit Pawar’s faction from using the NCP’s clock symbol in the election. Previously, the Court had instructed Ajit Pawar to publish disclaimers regarding the use of the symbol.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sharad Pawar, presented materials, including photos and social media posts, allegedly violating the Court’s previous order. Singhvi pointed to Amol Mitkari, a candidate from Ajit Pawar’s NCP, who had shared images featuring only Sharad Pawar, claiming Ajit Pawar’s side was attempting to “piggyback” on the senior Pawar’s reputation.
In response, Senior Advocate Balbir Singh, appearing for Ajit Pawar, refuted these claims, calling the materials "doctored." However, Singhvi countered that the video had been posted from Mitkari’s official account.
Justice Surya Kant remarked, "Whether or not it is an old video, with Mr Pawar you have an ideological difference, and you are fighting against him. Then you should try to stand up on your own legs."
Balbir Singh assured the Court of compliance but raised concerns over AI manipulation, stating, “In the age of Artificial Intelligence, photos and videos can be manipulated using ‘deep fake’.” Justice Kant acknowledged this concern, noting, “There have been instances which are eye openers. Ultimately this AI also where it will go, we have to be very very careful.”
The Court instructed Ajit Pawar’s faction to issue an electronic circular to its office bearers and candidates, advising against the use of Sharad Pawar’s images or videos in campaign materials, stressing the need for the faction to maintain a distinct identity.
In the background of the case, a rift between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar led the Election Commission of India in 2022 to recognise Ajit Pawar's faction as the official NCP and grant it the clock symbol. This decision is under challenge in the Supreme Court by Sharad Pawar’s faction, which has been permitted to use the symbol of a "man blowing turha (trumpet)."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleges irregularities in Maharashtra Assembly election results
Mumbai: As the counting of votes for the Maharashtra Assembly elections progresses, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has raised serious allegations of irregularities in the results. Speaking to the media, Raut claimed, "There is something wrong with these election results. This is not the decision of the people."
Currently, the BJP-led alliance is leading in 215 seats, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is ahead in 61 constituencies. According to Raut, several seats that should have gone to the MVA were allegedly "stolen."
He further alleged, "Money machines were set up in every constituency. Maharashtra’s people are honest, but the election process here has seen the highest level of dishonesty. We knew the sentiment of the public, but this outcome does not reflect it."
Raut also connected the developments to recent controversies involving Gautam Adani, claiming that the focus has been shifted to the election results to divert attention from issues affecting the BJP. He accused the BJP of manipulating the elections, stating, "Mumbai is going into the hands of Gautam Adani."
