New Delhi: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today (Jan 24, 2004) described the split in the party triggered by a convention of rebel workers under P A Sangma's leadership as "illegal".

Reacting to the split, NCP spokesman Praful Patel said, "Hundred per cent Sharad Pawar is the president of NCP."

Except in Meghalaya, all the State units and Members of Parliament (MPs) and legislators were with Sharad Pawar, he claimed.

Patel said the Election Commission would decide who is the real NCP.