MUMBAI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday allotted a new party symbol to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Sharad Pawar the founder of NCP, the new party symbol gave to them is, a man blowing a trumpet which is called as the turha or tutari in the state. This comes days after it gave the original NCP name and its original ‘clock’ symbol to Ajit Pawar's NCP faction. 

Senior Pawar on Saturday unveiled the symbol 'man blowing turha (traditional trumpet) at the historic Raigad fort and after unveiling the symbol, invoking legendary Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and to the chants of 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ki jai' and 'Jai Bhawani, Jai Shivaji' were heard as Pawar unveiled the new symbol.

Pawar said that the trumpet will bring happiness to the people who are struggling due to rising inflation and unemployment as it is a symbol of inspiration for a new campaign focused on people's welfare and a government dedicated to their advancement.

One of the strongest forts in the Deccan Plateau it was at the Raigad Fort Shivaji Maharaj was coronated in Raigad Fort on 6 June 1674, and 2024 marks the 350 years of that defining moment in the history of this sub-continent. It was at this fort that Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of the 'Hindavi-Swarajya' or self-rule of the Hindu people. 

A day ago, while speaking to reporters in Kolhapur, Pawar had said, “It will not be Modi hai toh mumkin hai in the ensuing elections, but it will be Modi hai toh namumkin hai. The BJP’s lack of confidence in winning the ensuing election is seen from the fact that it is going full hog trying to break parties and import important leaders in its ranks." He also said that some surveys have revealed that the BJP will not get the seats it is eyeing in the Lok Sabha elections. “In Maharashtra, a survey says the BJP will not get even 50 per cent seats,'' he said.

Recalling the 1980 election, Pawar said, “In 1980, 69 MLAs of his party had won. When I returned from a foreign tour, except six, all other MLAs had dumped him. After five years, 95 per cent of those who left him were defeated in the elections. This will be repeated in the ensuing elections”. unveils party symbol of man blowing a tutari