Attacking NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar, Krit Soumya accuses Nawab Malik of having terror links, sparking fresh controversy ahead of polls
Team Clarion
MUMBAI – In a strong attack against the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Ajit Pawar, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Krit Soumya accused Nawab Malik, the NCP candidate from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, of having connections with notorious underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim and attempting to “divide the nation.”
“Nawab Malik is a terrorist who tried to divide India. By granting him a ticket, Ajit Pawar’s NCP has betrayed the country,” ANI reported the BJPleader as saying..
Nawab Malik, a former MLA from Anushakti Nagar, filed his nomination for the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar assembly constituency as an NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate under the Mahayuti Alliance. However, the Mahayuti Alliance is facing an internal struggle, as Shiv Sena’s Suresh Krishna Patil was also nominated for the same seat.
Amidst this rivalry, BJP Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar expressed opposition to Malik’s candidacy, reiterating concerns about his alleged ties with Dawood Ibrahim. “We will not campaign in support of Nawab Malik,” Shelar confirmed, noting his long-standing objection to Malik’s nomination.
The NCP’s nomination of Malik has also affected the Anushakti Nagar constituency, where his daughter, Sana Malik, is contesting as the NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate.
With the Maharashtra Assembly elections set for November 20 and vote counting on November 23, these allegations add another layer of controversy to the electoral landscape across the state’s 288 constituencies.