New Delhi, March
8
In a major boost to Mr Sharad Pawar ahead of the Lok Sabha poll, the Election
Commission today recognised the party led by him as the real NCP allowing it to
retain the ‘Clock’ symbol and giving his rival Mr P.A. Sangma the defeat in the
first round of the battle.
“In the present case, the commission is satisfied
beyond any doubt that the group led by Mr Pawar has far superior numerical
support in the organisational and legislature wings of the party,” the
commission said in its order.
Observing that the January 24 convention convened
by Mr Sangma, which removed Mr Pawar could be treated as a private meeting of
some like-minded persons, the order said any decision taken by the convention
could not be treated as valid or binding on any organ. — PTI
