In view of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the seat-sharing formula in Mahayuti has almost been decided, but the BJP is opposing some of the Mahayuti candidates. BJP has objections to Nawab Malik and Pradeep Sharma. Nawab Malik’s name has been involved in the PMLA related case while Pradeep Sharma (former encounter specialist) has been involved in the Antilia case. While the NCP gave ticket to Nawab Malik’s daughter, Pradeep Sharma’s wife Sankta Sharma joined the Shinde faction, whose claim is being considered from Andheri East.
BJP has objected to the names of NCP’s Nawab Malik and former Sankranti encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma’s wife. Nawab Malik granted medical bail in PMLA case. His daughter Sana Malik got the Anushakti Nagar seat in the NCP, from where Nawab Malik is the current MLA. Nawab Malik can now contest the elections from the Shivaji Nagar-Mankhurd seat on the NCP ticket against Samajwadi Party’s Abu Asim Azmi.
Nawab is out on medical bail in the PMLA case. His daughter Sana Malik has confirmed her Anushakti Nagar seat from the NCP. Nawab Malik is the current MLA of this seat. He is likely to contest from the Shivaji Nagar-Mankhurd seat on the NCP ticket against SP’s Abu Asim Azmi. Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar has openly opposed the candidature of NCP leader Nawab Malik. “We will not agree to admit anyone associated with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim,” Shelar said on Tuesday.
Let us tell you that Nawab was arrested in 2022 when he was a minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. This case is related to Dawood and his associates Chhota Shakeel and Tiger Memon. The BJP has opposed Malik for this reason.
Another seat where the issue is stuck is Andheri East. The issue regarding the Andheri East seat is also deadlocked between the Shinde group and the BJP. This seat is currently held by Shiv Sena UBT MLA Rutuja Latke. Sharma’s wife Swakriti Shinde has joined the group, but the BJP is discussing Murji Patel’s name. Murji Patel was contesting against Latke in the by-elections, but the BJP had asked him to withdraw his form.
A few days ago, Patel had shown strength in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. BJP is also opposing Swakriti because she is Pradeep Sharma’s wife and Pradeep Sharma was involved in the Antilia bomb case, for which he was arrested by the NIA.
