Thu Oct 31 23:53:14 UTC 2024: ## NCP Leader Nawab Malik Defies Mahayuti, Claims Official Candidacy

**MUMBAI, INDIA -** NCP leader Nawab Malik, fielded by the Ajit Pawar faction from the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Assembly seat, has declared he is not a rebel but an official candidate of the NCP. His nomination has sparked controversy, leaving Mahayuti alliance partners BJP and Shiv Sena stunned.

In a surprising move, the NCP declared Malik as their candidate for the seat, despite the BJP having already nominated Suresh Krishna Patil as the Mahayuti candidate. This led to accusations from the BJP and Shiv Sena that Malik was acting against the alliance.

“I am not a rebel,” Malik stated in an exclusive interview with India Today. “I am an official candidate of the NCP. This seat was given to the NCP. When my name was announced, Shiv Sena and BJP opposed me, claiming they wouldn’t work for me. I don’t want their support, they’re free to oppose me.”

Malik’s daughter, Sana Malik, is also contesting the Anushakti Nagar seat on an NCP ticket. This adds to the tension in the Mahayuti alliance, which is already facing internal disputes.

Despite the BJP and Shiv Sena’s accusations of Malik’s alleged links to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Malik has denied these claims and reiterated his loyalty to Ajit Pawar. “I stand with Ajit Pawar because he supported me when we were in trouble,” he said. “They will always oppose me, but I will stand behind the person who stood by me.”

Malik also addressed the money laundering case against him, calling it a “false case” and stating he will be vindicated once the court delivers its judgment.

Regarding the future of the Mahayuti alliance and the NCP’s role, Malik said he couldn’t predict the outcome of the election, but acknowledged Ajit Pawar’s potential influence in a hung assembly scenario.

With the Maharashtra Assembly elections approaching, the contest between the Mahayuti alliance and the opposition, which includes the NCP, is expected to be fierce. The upcoming polls will likely be crucial in determining the political landscape of Maharashtra, with the potential for major shifts in power.

Read More