Who gets the preferred symbol when there are two factions? | Explained

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar has filed a plea in the Supreme Court to stop the Ajit Pawar faction from using the ‘clock’ symbol in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls. Symbols are important in elections as they help illiterate voters identify parties. The NCP split in 2023, with the Ajit Pawar faction claiming the ‘clock’ symbol. The Supreme Court may direct the Election Commission to freeze the symbol for the upcoming elections. Experts suggest that political parties should have regular internal elections to ensure transparency and democracy within the party.