Senior leader Sharad Pawar convened a crucial meeting with party officials on Wednesday to deliberate on selecting a new symbol and name for their party in preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Last week, the Election Commission of India granted permission for the faction led by Sharad Pawar to be recognized as the “Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar” for the purpose of participating in the voting for six Rajya Sabha seats scheduled for February 27.
The meeting took place at Pawar’s residence in Modibaug, Pune, amidst speculation about a proposal from the Congress party for Sharad Pawar’s faction to merge with them and contest all future elections under the same symbol.
However, several leaders from the NCP Sharadchandra Pawar faction, including former minister Anil Deshmukh, Lok Sabha MP Amol Kolhe, and Pune president Prashant Jagtap, dismissed these speculations, affirming that the party has decided to maintain its distinct identity and will contest elections accordingly, which has been acknowledged by the people of Maharashtra.
During the meeting, discussions were held regarding three potential symbols—whistle, banyan tree, and cup-saucer—as well as a new name to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Additionally, leaders discussed the possibility of holding joint public meetings with other members of the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) alliance.
Anil Deshmukh clarified, “There was no discussion about any merger, nor is there any such proposal. Today’s discussion focused on selecting one of the three symbols that the Election Commission has asked us to choose from.”
Other leaders present at the meeting included MPs Shrinivas Patil, Supriya Sule, and Vandana Chavan.
Amol Kolhe emphasized, “For nearly 25 years, the people of Maharashtra have supported Sharad Pawar and voted for us. Why would we merge our party with another?”
Kolhe also suggested that the news of the NCP Sharadchandra Pawar faction merging with the Congress was intentionally spread.
Prashant Jagtap, president of the NCP city unit, stated, “Senior party leaders met and discussed various issues, including a new party name and symbol.”
