New Delhi: In a significant development, the Election Commission on Tuesday granted recognition to the faction led by Ajit Pawar as the authentic Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and allocated the party’s iconic “clock” symbol to it.

The decision marks a substantial setback for veteran leader Sharad Pawar and his supporters.

Sources within the Election Commission indicated that the test of legislative majority played a crucial role in determining Ajit Pawar’s faction as the rightful custodian of the NCP’s name and symbol. This ruling comes after nearly 10 hearings spanning over a period of six months.