NCP’s Nawab Malik Files 2 Nomination Forms, Sparks Buzz, Then Clarifies

Nawab Malik, former Maharashtra minister and a leader of NCP’s Ajit Pawar faction, filed two nomination forms for Mumbai’s Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Assembly seat today, setting off high drama as many wondered if a pre-poll shocker is on the cards.

The senior leader filed two nomination forms, one as a candidate of NCP (Ajit Pawar) and another as an Independent. The move sparked a buzz. Later in the day, however, Mr Malik said he is NCP’s official candidate. “Today, I filed a nomination from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Vidhan Sabha constituency as NCP candidate. I filed the form as an Independent candidate too. But the party has sent the AB form and we submitted it at 2.55 pm. Now I am an official candidate for NCP,” he said.

“I am very thankful to Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. They have confidence in me… A huge number of voters will support me… I am very confident we will win Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency this time,” Mr Malik said.

Earlier, the senior politician said the party’s AB form had not been submitted. “If the AB form is submitted in time, I will contest as a party candidate. If not, I will fight independently as per the people’s wish,” he said.

An AB form is submitted by a political party, confirming its candidate for a particular seat.

Nawab Malik currently represents Anushakti Nagar seat in Mumbai. This time, Ajit Pawar’s NCP has fielded his daughter Sana Malik from this seat. Sana Malik is up against Fahad Ahmed, who recently joined the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar. Fahad Ahmed is the husband of actor Swara Bhasker.