Nawab Malik Files Nomination From Mankhurd Seat As NCP Candidate

Nawab Malik has officially entered the race for the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Assembly seat in Maharashtra. He submitted his nomination as a candidate from the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) for the upcoming state elections.

"Today, I filed a nomination from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Vidhan Sabha constituency as an NCP candidate. I had filed the form as an Independent candidate also. But the party has sent the AB form and we submitted it at 2.55 pm and now I am the official candidate of NCP," he told ANI.

Nawab Malik's Political Journey

Previously, Nawab Malik had announced his candidacy as an independent after being denied a ticket by his party due to pressure from BJP, an ally of Mahayuti. However, with the party's backing now secured, he is optimistic about his chances in this constituency. The Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar seat has traditionally been a stronghold for Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi, making it a key battleground for Muslim votes.

Malik expressed gratitude towards NCP leaders Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, and Sunil Tatkare for their support. He believes their confidence in him will translate into voter support. "I am very thankful to (Deputy Chief Minister) Ajit Pawar, NCP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel, and NCP leader Sunil Tatkare. They have confidence in me (to win the elections)...A huge number of voters will support me...I am very confident that this time we will win the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency."

Family Ties in Politics

In a related development, Nawab Malik's daughter, Sana Malik, is also contesting in these elections. She is running for the Anushakti Nagar assembly seat under the NCP banner (Ajit Pawar faction). This adds another layer of interest to these elections as both father and daughter are vying for seats under different circumstances.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are set to take place on November 20, with results expected on November 23. In previous elections held in 2019, BJP secured 105 seats while Shiv Sena won 56 and Congress managed 44 seats. Comparatively, in 2014, BJP had a stronger showing with 122 seats followed by Shiv Sena's 63 and Congress's 42.

As candidates rush to file nominations before deadlines close, Nawab Malik's decision to run under NCP could impact voter dynamics significantly. His shift from independent status back to party affiliation highlights strategic moves within Maharashtra's political landscape ahead of crucial polls.