Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar and Nawab Malik.
Despite political pressure from the BJP, Ajit Pawar named powerful Mumbai leader Nawab Malik as candidate for Mankhurd assembly seat. On the last day of nominations, Nawab Malik has received form A and B for NCP Mankhurd seat. Nawab Malik has received this form A and B from Ajit Group.
This means that Nawab will now be the NDA candidate for the seat. It’s been called a big political game. After submitting his nomination, Nawab Malik said, I have submitted my name on the Independent Party and NCP documents. If the NCP’s nomination returns, I will contest the election as an independent candidate.
In fact, the BJP has been exerting pressure not to give a ticket to Anushaktinagar MLA Nawab Malik. Due to the pressure, Ajit initially canceled his ticket for the seat and gave the symbol to his daughter Sana Malik.
Meanwhile, Nawab Malik announced his nomination to Mankud. After the Nawab’s statement, BJP Mumbai president Ashish Sheral publicly said that we cannot allow any Dawood supporter to become a candidate.
After Sheral’s remarks, Ajit arrived in Delhi and held lengthy discussions with the top brass of the BJP on candidate selection.
Nawab Malik jailed
Nawab Malik, a former minister in the Mahavikas Aghadi government, was jailed for allegedly receiving money from Dawood Ibrahim and his associates. He was free on bail this year on the charges. After his release from jail, Nawab Malik left Sharad Pawar and joined Ajit.
Nawab Malik received a lot of criticism for working with Ajit. Nawab Malik who dominated Mumbai politics was considered a great leader of Muslims. Nawab Malik also served as the Mumbai president of the NCP.
Competing with SP’s Abu Azmi
The Indian Union supports SP’s Abu Azmi from Mankhurd Shivajinagar. Firebrand Abu Azmi won the 2019 election for the seat. Abu Azmi is also the state president of Akhilesh Yadav’s party in Maharashtra.
Considering the number of Muslim voters in Mankhurd, political parties select Muslim candidates from here.
