Sat Nov 02 10:20:00 UTC 2024: ## BJP Refuses to Campaign for NCP’s Nawab Malik in Maharashtra Election

**MUMBAI, INDIA -** The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has declared it will not campaign for Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Nawab Malik in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, scheduled for November 20th, 2024. This decision stems from serious allegations against Malik, including alleged links to the Dawood Ibrahim gang.

Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, who previously accused Malik of these links, stated that the BJP would not campaign for him under any circumstances. He emphasized that Malik would not be a part of any government formed by the ruling Mahayuti alliance after the elections.

The BJP’s stance has sparked tension within the Mahayuti alliance, which comprises the BJP, Ajit Pawar-led NCP, and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The BJP’s Mumbai unit chief, Ashish Shelar, criticized Ajit Pawar for granting Malik a ticket, stating that the party cannot associate with individuals facing such serious allegations.

Malik was arrested in 2022 in a case related to Dawood Ibrahim and his associates, but was granted bail on medical grounds in August 2023. He served as a minister in the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

The BJP has confirmed it will instead campaign for the Shiv Sena candidate in Malik’s constituency, Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar. The upcoming Assembly elections are expected to be closely contested, with the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP vying for power.

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