With both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) staking their respective claims on the party’s name and poll symbol “clock”, the Election Commission (EC) is set to hold its first hearing in the dispute on Friday.

The poll body has acknowledged that there has been a split in the NCP. The faction led by Ajit Pawar had rebelled against NCP leader Sharad Pawar and moved the poll panel, staking claim over the party name and symbol.

Also Read: It’s Ajit Pawar vs Sharad Pawar now – All that happened in Maharashtra today

After due consideration of the totality of information available on record, the commission has arrived at the conclusion that there are two rival groups in the Nationalist Congress Party-one led by Sharad Pawar and the other by Ajit Pawar, a functionary said, citing provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, PTI reported.

Since each group is claiming to be the party, the matter required a substantive determination by the commission, the functionary added.

Also Read: Amid Pawar vs Pawar battle, two rebel MLAs, one MP return to Sharad camp

Two days before rebelling against uncle Sharad Pawar to join the Maharashtra government in early July, Ajit Pawar approached the EC on June 30, staking claim to the party name as well as symbol, and subsequently also declared himself as the party president with the support of 40 lawmakers.

On July 2, Ajit took oath as the Deputy CM in the coalition government led by Eknath Shinde-headed Shiv Sena and the BJP.

Later, the Sharad Pawar-led faction told the poll body that there was no dispute in the party except that a few mischievous individuals had defected from the organization for their personal ambitions.

Also Read: NCP claim settled? Ajit Pawar has 41 MLAs backing him, Sharad Pawar left with 11

On the eve of the EC’s hearing, the Sharad Pawar faction held a show of strength in the national capital on Thursday with the 82-year-old NCP founder expressing confidence of gaining people’s support irrespective of the party’s poll symbol.

(With inputs from PTI)