NCP's Sana Malik Takes Jab At Rival Fahad Ahmad: 'Better To Be Nawab Malik's Daughter Than Husband Of Actress'

NCP leader Nawab Malik's daughter, Sana Malik, submitted her nomination papers on Monday for the Anushakti Nagar Assembly constituency in Mumbai.

She will be running against Fahad Ahmad, husband of actress Swara Bhaskar, who recently joined the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar on Sunday, reported India Today.

Ahmad was earlier associated with the Samajwadi Party.

Nawab Malik, a former two-time MP for the Anushakti Nagar Assembly seat, previously announced he would be contesting the Maharashtra Assembly elections on November 20 from Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar.

In a remark aimed at the former Samajwadi Party leader, Sana stated that she would rather be recognised as Nawab Malik's daughter than simply as "the husband of an actress."

She expressed, "I'm proud to be Nawab Malik's daughter. If Nawab Malik's daughter can become Anushakti Nagar's daughter, then that is better than being the husband of an actress."

Sana highlighted her dedicated work for the community, noting that the large support from residents during her nomination was a testament to her efforts.

She clarified, however, that Fahad Ahmad is not her enemy, but a political rival. "This is politics. No one is an enemy. There are only opponents. Right now they are opponents," she said.

She further added, "I won't speak about Fahad, but I will say that people here know me not only as Nawab Malik's daughter; they know me because I visit their homes, share tea with them, and listen to their issues."

Nawab Malik is currently out on bail in a money laundering case following his February 2022 arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. He is alleged to have connections with Dawood Ibrahim, associated with the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

In the past, he accused the BJP of misusing agencies like the ED and CBI to intimidate political rivals. However, he later joined the NCP, which is now part of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.

When asked if her supporters might be conflicted by her father's change of stance, Sana responded that they stand by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, whom she credited with the area's development efforts.

"He supported me wholeheartedly at that time. And why do people elect a leader - for getting their work done and for the development of the area. Politics has nothing to do with that. So, whoever was there at that time for Anushakti Nagar, I have supported them, and so we are with Ajit Pawar," she said.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections will take place in a single phase on November 20, with the vote count scheduled for November 23.