As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach, the seat-sharing formula within the alliance is nearly finalized. However, the BJP is opposing certain candidates from the alliance. They have objections against Nawab Malik and Pradeep Sharma. Nawab Malik's name surfaced in a PMLA-related case, while former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma was involved in the Antilia case. NCP granted Nawab Malik's daughter, Sana Malik, a ticket, while Swikriti Sharma, Pradeep Sharma's wife, has been inducted into the Shinde faction, with her expected to contest for the Andheri East seat.
BJP has objected to NCP’s Nawab Malik and former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma’s wife, Swikriti Sharma. Nawab Malik is out on medical bail related to a PMLA case. His daughter, Sana Malik, received the NCP ticket for Anushakti Nagar, where Nawab Malik currently serves as a legislator. Nawab Malik might contest the Shivaji Nagar-Mankhurd seat on an NCP ticket against Samajwadi Party's Abu Asim Azmi.
Nawab is currently on medical bail for the PMLA case. His daughter, Sana Malik, has secured the NCP seat for Anushakti Nagar, where Nawab Malik is the present legislator. He is expected to challenge SP’s Abu Asim Azmi for the Shivaji Nagar-Mankhurd seat on an NCP ticket. Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar openly opposed NCP leader Nawab Malik’s candidacy. Shelar said on Tuesday, 'We won't accept giving a ticket to anyone linked to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.'
It should be noted that Nawab Malik was arrested in 2022 when he was a minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The case is related to Dawood and his associates Chhota Shakeel and Tiger Memon. This is why the BJP has been opposing Malik.
The Andheri East seat is another contentious issue, with discord between the Shinde faction and BJP. The seat currently belongs to Shiv Sena UBT legislator Rutuja Latke. Swikriti Sharma joined the Shinde faction, but BJP is considering Murji Patel for this seat. During the by-election, Murji Patel was competing against Latke, but BJP asked him to withdraw his form.
Patel staged a show of strength a few days ago in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The BJP is opposing Swikriti's candidacy also because she is Pradeep Sharma’s wife, who was involved in the Antilia bomb scare case and was arrested by the NIA.
