BJP's Dilemma: Campaigning Amid Controversy

The BJP has refused to campaign for NCP's Nawab Malik in the assembly polls due to his alleged connections with Dawood Ibrahim. Malik’s daughter, Sana Malik, will contest her maiden assembly election. The NCP is part of the Mahayuti alliance, including BJP and Shiv Sena, contesting the November elections.

The BJP has chosen not to campaign for Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) Nawab Malik in the assembly polls, citing his alleged ties with fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Despite this, the BJP has no issues with Malik’s daughter, Sana Malik, standing for election.

Nawab Malik, once a state minister, nominated himself from the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency, while his daughter Sana Malik runs for Anushakti Nagar, a seat her father previously occupied. She will make her debut in the assembly elections under the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP, despite BJP’s reservations.

The BJP's Mumbai unit chief, Ashish Shelar, reaffirmed the party's stance, underscoring their disapproval of Malik's candidacy while supporting Mahayuti alliance candidates, which includes Shiv Sena and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction. The Congress has criticized the BJP, accusing it of double standards.

(With inputs from agencies.)