Alliance talks between the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP for the upcoming Pune civic polls have collapsed. The NCP (SP) rejected the Ajit Pawar faction's demand that their candidates contest using the 'clock' symbol, insisting on using their own 'trumpet' symbol. Following the breakdown, the NCP (SP) is resuming discussions with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), for seat-sharing. Ajit Pawar's faction is reportedly exploring an alliance with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.