MUMBAI: Sharad Pawar has suffered a huge blow with the Election Commission concluding that the real NCP is the NCP led by Ajit Pawar, nephew of Sharad Pawar and deputy chief minister in the Eknath Shinde government. The Election Commission also directed the Sharad Pawar faction to submit a new name and symbol. Ajith became part of the Shinde government with a group of MLAs in July 2023, after falling out with Sharad Pawar.

The Election Commission came to the conclusion that Ajit Pawar's side is the real NCP based on the calculation of 'legislative majority'. Ajith had the support of 51 out of 81 NCP MLAs in the House. With the Election Commission's decision, the NCP's official symbol, the clock, can now be used by the Ajit Pawar faction. This decision comes ahead of the upcoming elections. It is suggested that Sharad Pawar inform the commission of the new symbol and name by three o'clock tomorrow evening.