Ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik has taken a bold stand by announcing he will not use Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image in his campaign for the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency. Malik’s statement, made Friday, comes amidst heightened political tensions, especially as he faces a close contest against Samajwadi Party state chief Abu Asim Azmi.
Malik explained his decision by stating, “We will not use PM Modi’s photo in our campaign,” signaling a move towards emphasizing local issues over national figures in his outreach strategy. The decision aligns with the NCP’s campaign stance under Ajit Pawar’s leadership, which highlights secularism and Maharashtra’s cultural harmony. Just a day earlier, Ajit Pawar launched the party’s Mumbai campaign from Malik’s constituency, where he stressed NCP’s commitment to the secular values of icons like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Shahu Maharaj, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Malik’s decision also underscores a strategic contrast with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as he aims to focus on Mumbai-specific concerns. This move, some analysts argue, is a subtle critique of the nationalistic approach, which is often anchored by high-profile endorsements from leaders like PM Modi.
Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar addressed concerns over recent rhetoric from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Adityanath, while campaigning in Maharashtra on Wednesday, had advised voters to “stay united” by invoking the phrase “Jab batenge, tab katenge” (When we are divided, we will be cut). Pawar responded firmly, saying, “Maharashtra has always maintained communal harmony,” and criticized statements he views as divisive. Pawar’s rejection of such rhetoric reflects his emphasis on fostering social unity across party lines for peaceful elections.
The NCP has fielded a diverse lineup of candidates in constituencies with significant Muslim populations, including Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar, Anushakti Nagar, and Bandra East, with Pawar personally fielding five Muslim candidates. This approach highlights the NCP’s strategic appeal to minority communities and is in line with its secular stance.
As the Maharashtra Assembly elections approach, Malik’s decision to omit PM Modi’s image represents a departure from typical campaign strategies, emphasizing regional autonomy and localized concerns. Observers suggest this move is a statement of independence for the NCP, which has pledged to protect Maharashtra’s secular legacy amid rising political tensions.