Nawab Malik, the sitting Nationalist Congress Party MLA from the Anushakti Nagar constituency, has filed his nomination from the Manhkurd Shivaji Nagar constituency. Malik submitted two affidavits — one as an independent and the other as an NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate. However, one of his affidavits will be rejected by the Election Commission as per the rules.
VIDEO | Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar seat Nawab Malik (@nawabmalikncp) files nomination in Mumbai.#MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024 pic.twitter.com/VU5sJPRp4L
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 29, 2024
After he filed his nomination, sources said Nawab Malik will contest on an NCP symbol.
Nawab Malik’s candidature from NCP comes despite the objections by the saffron party’s objections to the same. The BJP earlier said that it would strongly oppose any attempt at giving Nawab Malik a ticket for the Maharashtra elections. However, Tuesday’s developments point to the increasing rift between the NCP and the BJP.
Malik is a five-time MLA and was considered close to Sharad Pawar. He is extremely popular among Muslim voters, which gives the party an edge in constituencies dominated by the community.
Malik’s daughter Sana Malik-Shaikh has filed her nomination from his Anushakti Nagar constituency.
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s objection to the candidature of Nawab Malik or a member of his family was due to his alleged involvement in a money laundering scam and his links to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Nawab Malik was even arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in February 2022 over the allegations. He was released earlier this year.
(This is a developing story and is being updated.)
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