In a dramatic turn of events within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the ongoing leadership struggle has escalated to the legal arena, with Ajit Pawar's faction taking preemptive legal action by filing a caveat petition in the Supreme Court. This strategic move is aimed at ensuring that their side is heard before any decisions are made by the Court concerning the Election Commission's recent ruling.

The Election Commission's decision, which recognized the faction led by Ajit Pawar as the legitimate NCP and awarded them the party's symbol, the 'Clock,' came as a significant blow to the faction led by NCP founder Sharad Pawar. The Commission's detailed 140-page order concluded that the group under Ajit Pawar's leadership constitutes the official NCP, entitling them to the party's name and associated election symbol.

This ruling has deeply divided the party, with the Ajit Pawar faction celebrating their legal victory, while Sharad Pawar and his supporters have decried the decision as a "murder of democracy." Leaders from Sharad Pawar's camp, including Anil Deshmukh and Supriya Sule, have expressed dismay and announced a two-pronged response to the Commission's ruling.

Firstly, they plan to file an appeal in the Supreme Court within the next 48 hours, aiming to challenge the Election Commission's decision and seek a reversal of the ruling. Secondly, they intend to comply with the Commission's directive to propose alternative names and symbols for their faction, indicating their determination to continue the fight for recognition within the party.

The backdrop to this legal battle is Ajit Pawar's dramatic defection in July of the previous year, when he, along with a significant number of NCP MLAs, supported the BJP-Shiv Sena government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Maharashtra.