The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has been in disarray since July 2023 when Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle and party patriarch Sharad Pawar to cause a split in the party. A tug-of-war ensued as both factions had staked claim to the party name and symbol. However, the Election Commission of India ruled in favour of Ajit Pawar’s faction, declaring it the “real” NCP. The Supreme Court, too, doubled down on the decision although adding that it is a temporary decision. Ajit Pawar joined hands with the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) coalition in Maharashtra and became the second deputy chief minister. Subsequently, he staked claim to NCP’s original name and symbol of a ‘wall clock’.