With the Maharashtra Assembly elections just around the corner, the Mahayuti alliance faces a growing divide, marked by a significant decision from Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar. Pawar has publicly announced he will campaign for NCP’s Nawab Malik, who is contesting from Mumbai’s Mankhurd-Shivajinagar constituency. This move sets up a clash within the alliance, as both BJP and Shiv Sena have officially distanced themselves from Malik’s campaign, instead endorsing Shiv Sena candidate Suresh Patil as the coalition’s candidate for the seat.
The decision to field Malik has stirred considerable controversy. Despite resistance from BJP, Ajit Pawar’s NCP put forth Malik’s candidacy, prompting BJP leaders, including Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, to make clear their party’s refusal to support Malik. Fadnavis expressed his disapproval, emphasizing that Malik’s alleged connections to underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim were at the center of the decision. “Our official Mahayuti candidate in Mankhurd is Shiv Sena’s Suresh Patil,” Fadnavis reiterated, adding that the NCP had only confirmed Malik’s nomination minutes before the filing deadline.
Ajit Pawar, however, has continued to stand by Malik, arguing that Malik is “not an accused” in any proven criminal case. Responding to media queries on Thursday, Pawar stated, “There are allegations, but they remain unproven, so I see no issue in campaigning for him.” He underlined his commitment to Malik’s campaign as an affirmation of NCP’s autonomy within the Mahayuti, stating that Malik has the party’s full support.
Meanwhile, Nawab Malik himself has voiced confidence in Ajit Pawar’s influence, calling him a “kingmaker” in the upcoming elections. “No one can form the government in Maharashtra without Ajit Pawar, and that is a fact,” Malik declared, signaling the strategic weight his alliance brings to the electoral battle. Malik’s comments suggest that Ajit Pawar’s endorsement may become a deciding factor in shaping the post-election landscape.
In a parallel move, BJP and Shiv Sena are concentrating their support on Nawab Malik’s daughter, Sana Malik, who has been fielded as Mahayuti’s candidate from Mumbai’s Anushakti Nagar constituency. Unlike her father, who has faced accusations linking him to Dawood Ibrahim, Sana Malik is seen as distanced from such controversies, allowing the BJP and Shiv Sena to rally behind her campaign without reservation. “While Nawab Malik faces accusations, there is no evidence connecting Sana Malik to any such allegations,” Fadnavis explained.
The split in Mahayuti’s approach, with Ajit Pawar endorsing Malik in Mankhurd while BJP and Shiv Sena back Sana Malik in Anushakti Nagar, underscores the fragile unity within the alliance. As the November 20 elections near, the Mahayuti’s differing priorities in key constituencies could shape the state’s political future, adding layers of intrigue to a high-stakes race where traditional alliances are being redefined in real time.