India, Jan. 31 -- With the merger talks between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) now uncertain following recent developments, several leaders from the NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction who contested elections on the 'clock' symbol are being treated as members of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

During the period when merger discussions were underway, late deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar had requested several NCP (SP) leaders to contest local body elections on the clock symbol instead of the 'man playing trumpet', citing the need to avoid confusion among voters. At the time, the two factions had entered into an understanding for Pune district elections, including the municipal corporation and zilla parishad polls.

According to l...