Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI-In a strategic move ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has announced a list of 38 candidates, which notably includes two Muslim representatives. Hasan Musharraf and Najeeb Mulla have been nominated to contest from Kagal and Mumbra Kalloh, respectively, as the party aims to strengthen its electoral appeal.
Hasan Musharraf, a prominent figure in the NCP, previously played a pivotal role in the political dynamics of the party. He was among the 18 NCP MLAs who rebelled against party founder Sharad Pawar, aligning himself with Ajit Pawar. Musharraf is the current MLA from the Kagal assembly seat in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, and has served as a minister in the Ministry of Rural Development and Labour. His political experience and involvement in the Mahayoti government position him as a strong candidate in the upcoming elections.
In contrast, Najeeb Mulla, a former councilor from Raboodi, has recently joined Ajit Pawar’s NCP after previously being a close confidant of Sharad Pawar. He has taken steps to establish his presence within the community, including opening an NCP office in Mumbra.
The political atmosphere is heating up in Maharashtra as the Assembly elections approach, scheduled for November 20. The ruling party, Mahayoti is gearing up its campaign aiming for re-election while the opposition coalition, Maha Vikas Aghadi, is rallying its efforts to reclaim power in the state.
Ajit Pawar’s decision to include Muslim candidates reflects an awareness of the need for diverse representation in a state with a significant Muslim population. As the election draws near, all eyes will be on these candidates and their strategies to mobilise support within their constituencies.
