emblem on the tricolour with immediate effect.

The Commission sent the missive to the NCP in this regard after objections were raised by A Saha, president of the Bihar unit of the Congress (S). Saha claimed before the Commission that Sharat Chandra Sinha, all-India president of the Congress (S), had not followed procedures while merging his party with the NCP. He said Simha had no right to allow the NCP to use the charkha symbol and the tricolour with the charkha emblem.

The EC's directive shocked NCP leaders as they were hoping to get the registration and allotment of a symbol. An emergency meeting of the NCP's Working Committee was summoned to discuss the EC's missive last week. It was decided that immediate steps be taken to adhere to the direction instead of contesting it and priority be given to get theregistration as NCP.

There was a suggestion that the party be renamed the All India Congress Committee (Rashtriya) or AICC (S) as was the case in 1978. But the idea did not find favour.

Once the registration is obtained, the party can fight for a symbol and flag. The tricolour has been used by the party's two factions after three splits -- in 1969, 1978 and 1996.

The NCP's claim is that the Congress (S) had split from the parent body in 1978 and was given the flag and symbol. Sinha had been holding the post of president and the merger took place after a special meeting of Congress (S) delegates from all over the country was held at the Vithalbhai Patel House.

With the merger, the NCP was entitled to use the flag and symbol. Accordingly, an application was made to the EC for registration of the new party.

D N Dwivedi, general secretary and spokesperson of the party confirmed that the EC's directive is being followed in letter and spirit. ``We are awaiting registration of the party which can come anymoment,'' he added.