The Election Commission's decision to accord recognition to the Ajit Pawar faction as the "real" Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and allotting it the party's "clock" symbol is a significant development in the ongoing power struggle within the party.
This decision comes as a major blow to veteran leader Sharad Pawar and his supporters, as it indicates a validation of the Ajit Pawar-led faction's claims to the NCP's name and symbol.
However, there is a slight relief for Sharad Pawar's faction, as the Election Commission has given it the option to name its faction in view of the imminent Rajya Sabha elections. The faction has been given until Wednesday to furnish three choices for the name.
The decision by the Election Commission is reportedly based on the test of legislative majority, which favored the Ajit Pawar-led group in the fight for the NCP's name and symbol. This decision follows a series of hearings spanning over six months.
The split within the NCP occurred in July last year, with Ajit Pawar leading a faction that rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar to join the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra. Since then, both factions have been engaged in a dispute over the party's name and symbol, leading to the prolonged legal battle culminating in the Election Commission's decision.
(With Agency Inputs)
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