IN A setback for Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar, the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday recognised the faction led by his nephew, Ajit Pawar, as the real NCP, giving it control over the party name and ‘clock’ symbol.

Calling it a “conspiracy against Maharashtra”, Sharad Pawar’s daughter and Lok Sabha member, Supriya Sule, said they would approach the Supreme Court.

The faction led by Sharad Pawar has been given a one-time concession to choose a new name and symbol for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections for six seats in Maharashtra. They have been asked to submit their options by Wednesday, 4 pm.

In its final order sent to both sides on Tuesday, the EC said it had relied on the test of majority in the party’s legislative wing to decide the dispute, which arose in July last year. According to the order, the total number of MPs, MLAs and MLCs of the NCP was 81, of which 57 had supported Ajit Pawar and 28 had supported Sharad Pawar. But, five MLAs and one Lok Sabha MP had submitted affidavits supporting both sides. Even if these six were excluded, Ajit Pawar’s faction had the majority support, it said.