Maharashtra Assembly Polls: Why BJP Opposes Candidatures Of NCP's Nawab Malik, Sena's Pradeep Sharma’s Wife

A brewing conflict over seat-sharing has surfaced between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction, ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra elections. The primary issue revolves around the candidacies of NCP's Nawab Malik and Shiv Sena's Pradeep Sharma, both of which the BJP has opposed.

Nawab Malik's Controversial Candidacy

Nawab Malik, the sitting MLA from Anushakti Nagar, is currently out on bail in a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case. Speculation suggests that while his daughter, Sana Malik, has secured an NCP ticket for his traditional constituency, Malik himself may contest from the Shivaji Nagar-Mankhurd seat, where he could face off against Samajwadi Party's Abu Azmi.

However, Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar has raised strong objections to Malik's potential candidacy, accusing him of having links to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Shelar made it clear that the BJP would not accept the nomination of anyone associated with such controversial figures, putting the alliance at odds.

Opposition to Pradeep Sharma's Wife, Swikriti Sharma

In addition to Malik, the BJP has expressed resistance to the candidacy of Swikriti Sharma, wife of former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma. Sharma has been linked to the Antilia bomb scare case and is currently facing legal proceedings. Despite this, Swikriti recently joined the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and is a potential candidate for the Andheri East seat. This has led to a rift between the BJP and Shiv Sena, as the BJP is pushing for their own candidate, Murji Patel, who had previously contested the Andheri by-election but was asked to withdraw.

The Andheri East seat is currently held by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Rutuja Latke.