Ajit can use 'clock' symbol in polls with disclaimer

THE Supreme Court on Thursday directed Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar to use the 'clock' symbol in its publicity material for the upcoming assembly polls with a disclaimer that the matter was sub-judice.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY

A bench headed by Justice Surya Kant passed the order on a plea filed by the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction and issued a notice to the Ajit-led faction seeking its response.

The SC on March 19 and April 4 had directed the Ajit-led faction to issue a public notice in the newspapers in English, Hindi and Marathi editions stating that the allocation of 'clock' symbol was sub judice.

The Ajit faction was permitted to use the symbol subject to the case's final outcome.

The SC directed Ajit faction to file a fresh undertaking over its March 19 and April 4 directions to issue a public notice stating that "NCP's clock symbol is sub judice" is being meticulously complied with even during the assembly polls.

"File a fresh undertaking as well that you have not violated our directions in the past and till the end of elections. If there is any violation, we will take note of it," the bench said.