Ajit Pawar campaigns for Nawab Malik amid stiff opposition from BJP
Mumbai, Nov 7: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who heads the ruling NCP, on Thursday campaigned for party candidate Nawab Malik, and held a roadshow in his support, ignoring ally BJP's stiff opposition to his candidature.
Pawar also held a roadshow for Malik's daughter Sana, who is contesting her maiden assembly poll from Anushakti Nagar in the city.
"I am discharging my responsibility. We are campaigning for him (Malik)," Pawar said.
Malik's candidature has been opposed by the BJP, which has alleged that the former Maharashtra minister has links with the underworld. When Maha Vikas Agahdi (MVA) was in power, Malik, a former minister, was critical of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, who is now the deputy chief minister.
Earlier in the day, Pawar said no charge has been proven against Malik who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2022 and later granted bail.
Despite the opposition, Pawar nominated Malik as party candidate from Mankhurd-Shivajinagar assembly constituency in Mumbai. The seat is witnessing a friendly fight as Shiv sena has fielded Suresh Patil from the seat.
Samajwadi Party's Abu Asim Azmi and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Jagdish Khandekar are also in fray. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi have also fielded candidates in this multi-cornered contest.
Amid the BJP's opposition, Malik had said he was not a candidate of the Mahayuti, but of the NCP.
"He (Pawar) nominated me as a party candidate, he came for my campaigning. There can't be anything bigger than that," Malik told reporters on Thursday.
The Mankhurd-Shivajinagar constituency has been represented by Samajwadi Party's Abu Azmi for the last three terms.
Pawar said development has not taken place since the last 15 years.
There are problems related to garbage. People fall ill. Some decisions need to be taken regarding this. After Nawab Malik is elected, all these problems will be solved, the deputy CM said.
#WATCH मुंबई: महाराष्ट्र के उपमुख्यमंत्री अजित पवार ने कहा, "मैं अपने बहुत से उम्मीदवारों की रैलियों में जाता हूं। मैं सना और नवाब भाई की रैली में आया हूं...आप लोगों का उत्साह देख सकते हैं। सभी वर्गों के लोग इसमें शामिल हुए हैं, हमें खुशी है कि हमें लोगों का समर्थन मिल रहा है।… pic.twitter.com/XvI31uif10
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Bengal: Hours after killing of Suvendu's aide, cops say 5 BJP workers injured in bomb attack
Kolkata (PTI): Five BJP supporters have been injured allegedly in a bomb blast in Panihati in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said on Thursday.
The incident occurred late on Wednesday night, hours after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants, which led to the saffron camp accusing the TMC of unleashing retaliatory violence.
The bomb blast occurred near St Xavier's Institution in Panihati. Unidentified assailants hurled crude bombs at a group of BJP workers, injuring at least five people, police said, adding the injured were admitted to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
According to local sources, BJP workers were interacting with residents on Dutta Road in Panihati's Ward number 2 when a group of motorcycle-borne persons allegedly targeted them with bombs before fleeing.
The BJP alleged that the attackers were backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress, an allegation denied by the Mamata Banerjee-led party.
A senior police official said, "We have started an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to identify those involved. Raids are being conducted to nab the accused."
A heavy police deployment has been made in the area.
"We are maintaining strict vigil and appealing to people not to spread rumours. Necessary steps are being taken to maintain peace," the officer added.
Incidentally, the area where the blast occurred is located near the residence of newly elected BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, the mother of the RG Kar Hospital rape victim.
