Replacement Of Nawab Malik With Sana Malik: Can Ajit Pawar's NCP Reclaim Anushakti Nagar?

The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) recently announced senior party leader Nawab Malik’s daughter Sana Malik as its candidate for the Anushakti Nagar constituency for the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra. The constituency is currently represented by Nawab Malik, and the BJP has opposed his candidature as part of the Mahayuti alliance, citing his alleged link with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

It is reported that Nawab Malik may contest the election from Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency as an independent candidate. Following pressure from the Mahayuti ally member BJP, Nawab Malik asked for Sana to be declared a candidate from Anushakti Nagar as he wants to contest from the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar seat, which is currently represented by Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi, reported Hindustan Times, quoting sources.

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Noting the money laundering allegation against him, Mumbai unit BJP president Ashish Shelar has said the party opposes Nawab Malik as part of the Mahayuti coalition as he is facing serious accusations. Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in February 2022 in the money laundering case and his alleged links with Dawood Ibrahim. The two-time Anushakti Nagar MLA would contest the…

Notably, the NCP candidate had experience working along side her father in his constituency when Nawab Malik was a cabinet member for skill development and welfare of minorities. During the MLA’s jail term in 2022, following the arrest in the money laundering case, Sana Malik became more active figure in his father’s constituency. She is also being credited for her works for women’s causes in Nehru Nagar, Mankhur, and Anushakti Nagar areas.

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The undivided Shiv Sena and NCP have been a close rival in Anushakti Nagar. During the 2019 assembly elections, Nawab Malik emerged victorious by securing a 12,751 vote majority, defeating then Shiv Sena MLA Tukaram Kate. The MVA alliance, which comprises the Uddhav Thakare Shiv Sena, Sharad Pawar’s NCP, and Congress, is yet to declare their candidate for Anushakti Nagar constituency.

With the altered political dynamics in Maharashtra, it is to see what would be the people’s mandate for Anushakti Nagar. The elections for the 288-member assembly will be held on November 20 and the result on 23.