• Source:JND
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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP Chief Ajit Pawar on Friday reacted to the controversy over his party's candidate from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, Nawab Malik, whose candidature from the seat has triggered dissent among the MahaYuti partners. The BJP has been opposing the nomination of Nawab Malik from the Mankhurd seat, stating that Malik has been accused in a money-laundering case and allegedly had relations with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Responding to the row, Ajit Pawar said "It will be clear by November 4 that which candidate will contest from which seat".

Ajit Pawar was on a visit to Malad for the election campaign. When asked about the NCP leader and candidate from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, Nawab Malik, he said, "By November 4, it will be clear which candidate will contest from which seat." Nawab Malik on Tuesday filed his nomination from the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Assembly constituency as an NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidate for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. Notably, the fight in the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar assembly seat is that of the Muslim vote as the seat has been held by Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi.

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Earlier, Ashish Shelar, Mumbai BJP Chief, said that Ajit Pawar should not have given a ticket to Nawab Malik, and the saffron party leaders will not campaign for Malik. "Ajit Pawar should not have given him a ticket; many in Maharashtra think this way. The serious allegations and chargesheet against him are unacceptable to Maharashtra. The BJP has made its stance clear," Shelar said, as quoted by ANI.

"Maharashtra opposes an international terrorist like Dawood. Despite this, if he has been given a ticket, the BJP cannot associate with such people. We won't campaign for this candidate. Instead, we'll support the candidate running against him," he added.

Responding to the BJP leaders, Nawab Malik said that the criticism from the BJP did not matter and he would emerge victorious in the upcoming election. "Bharatiya Janata Party or the Shiv Sena Shinde faction is opposing us; it is not a matter of concern for us. This is expected to happen, and we will win with a huge margin in both assemblies," Malik was quoted as saying by ANI.

ALSO READ: 'Not A Concern': NCP Leader Nawab Malik On No Support From Allies BJP, Sena In His Fight From Mankhurd Assembly Seat | Video

The money laundering case against Nawab Malik was filed by the Enforcement Directorate based on an FIR filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Dawood Ibrahim, a designated global terrorist and a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, and his associates under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Supreme Court granted bail to Malik earlier this year on medical grounds.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42.