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Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Mahayuti Split Over Mankhurd Seat as BJP Rejects Support for NCP's Nawab Malik Due to Dawood Connection
The Mahayuti alliance is experiencing internal strife after two candidates filed nominations for the Mankhurd constituency, leading to the BJP’s refusal to support Nawab Malik, who is contesting on an NCP ticket. Malik, a leader from the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, submitted his nomination both as an NCP candidate and as an independent. However, Ajit Pawar’s endorsement of Malik has sparked friction within the alliance, prompting the BJP to declare Shiv Sena’s Suresh Patil as the official candidate for Mankhurd.
Under Election Commission regulations, candidates are permitted to file only one nomination per constituency, meaning Malik must withdraw one of his submissions. It remains unclear whether he will step down as the NCP candidate to run as an independent, or if Ajit Pawar will continue to support Malik’s NCP bid.
Mumbai BJP Chief Ashish Shelar made a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing the BJP's opposition to Malik’s candidacy. “We do not back any candidate linked to underworld figure Dawood or connected to Dawood’s cases. BJP will not campaign for Nawab Malik,” he said. Despite this, the BJP will support Malik’s daughter, Sana Malik, who is the Mahayuti’s official candidate for the Anushakti Nagar seat, as there is no proven connection between her and Dawood.
Nawab Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in February 2022 in connection with a money laundering case tied to Dawood, but he is currently out on medical bail. His nomination as the NCP candidate for Mankhurd was submitted just before the filing deadline on Tuesday.
Malik’s entry into the Mankhurd race has complicated the electoral landscape. He now faces significant competition from both the Mahayuti-backed Shiv Sena candidate, Suresh Patil—often referred to as Bullet Patil—and the three-term sitting MLA Abu Azmi of the Samajwadi Party. Azmi, representing the MVA, has held the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency seat for 15 years.
