Nawab Malik: Nawab Malik's election plans face setback from NCP Bigwigs

NCP leaders fail to convince Malik not to participate in the elections

Mumbai: NCP president and deputy prime minister Ajit Pawar accompanied by NCP working chairman Praful Patel and Minister of Food and Civil Supplies Chhagan Bhujbal appealed to controversial NCP politician on Saturday Nawab Malik to convince him not to contest the parliamentary elections.
As there were reports that the NCP is likely to nominate Malik from Mankhurd-Shivajinagar, currently represented by Samajwadi Party’s Abu Asim Azmi, and his daughter Sana from Anushaktinagar for the Assembly elections, the BJP, especially Mumbai President Ashish Shelar and his state counterpart Chandrashekhar Bawankule strongly objected to it. The BJP said any proposal to nominate Nawab Malik would not be acceptable.
Sana was given the party clearance form, while no decision was taken on Malik.
Malik said he remained determined to fight as an independent against Shivajinagar. “Our leaders met me in connection with my decision to contest the parliamentary elections. I was noncommittal,” he said.
Malik said he will file the nomination papers on October 29
Malik was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in the case involving alleged land and money transactions between an underworld don and him. Nawab Malik was then the most powerful spokesperson of the undivided NCP led by Sharad Pawar. After a lengthy legal battle, Malik was released on medical bail. During the Nagpur session of the state legislature, when Malik was seen at the party office of the legislature, Devendra Fadnavis had written a letter to Ajit Pawar saying that he should not be entertained as he has links with the underworld. Then Fadnavis had expressed his strong displeasure over the entire episode.
Malik came into limelight after he accused the then zone director of the Narcotics Control Bureau, Samit Wankhede, of mischief during raids on a cruise ship. Among the occupants of the cruise ship was Aryan, son of Shah Rukh Khan. It later turned out that Aryan did not possess any drugs. Malik had also filed a complaint against Wankhede over a liquor shop in his name in Navi Mumbai as there was controversy over the shop’s license.