Not rebel, will stand with Ajit Pawar, don’t need BJP, Shiv Sena’s support: NCP's Nawab Malik
Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik, who has been nominated by the Ajit Pawar-led faction for the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Assembly seat, leaving Mahayuti partners BJP and Shiv Sena surprised, stated on Wednesday that he is an official NCP candidate and not a rebel.
An apparent conflict has emerged within the Mahayuti alliance following the NCP's announcement of Nawab Malik as its candidate, while the BJP put forward Suresh Krishna Patil as its official candidate for the seat.
"I am not a rebel. I am an official candidate of the NCP. This seat was given to the NCP. When my name was announced as a candidate from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, Shiv Sena and BJP opposed me. They said they would not work for me. I don't want their support. They are free to oppose me and field candidates before me or my daughter. We are ready to face them," he told India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai in an interview.
Malik, sitting MLA from Anushakti Nagar, has left that constituency to his daughter Sana, who is making her debut in electoral politics as NCP candidate.
In light of allegations linking him to underworld figures by the saffron party and the Shiv Sena, Malik firmly rejected such claims, and emphasised his loyalty to Ajit Pawar. "They all alleged that I am Dawood's man or have a link with him, but such a kind of case is not there. They will always oppose me. I stood with Ajit Pawar because he supported me. When we were in trouble, he stood behind my family," he told the news channel.
"I am always with Ajit Pawar and I am not with the BJP or Shiv Sena. They will make such allegations. It is my duty that I have to stand behind the person who supported me," he added.
Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will be held on November 20 and votes will be counted on November 23.
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Nikhil Kumaraswamy gets emotional during election rally, alleges Cong conspiracy in previous defeats
Ramanagara: JDS leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy said that he didn't know what wrong he had done to deserve two consecutive defeats in elections. He didn't know if his bad luck was the result of being the grandson of a former PM and the son of a former CM, he said. He was addressing a campaign rally in Kannamangala near Ramanagara on Thursday.
"I bore the brunt of Congress instigated conspiracy in two consecutive elections. I fell a prey for this conspiracy despite people voting in my favour. I am in a lot of pain. Today, I have competed in this election to respect the wishes of our party workers. Please make this youth win this time", Nikhil Kumaraswamy emotionally appealed to the gathering.
Shedding tears, the young JDS leader said that he was touring across the state to strengthen the party. "I want to connect with the last man in the party. It is very difficult to build a regional party. We are still standing because of your blessings", he added.
Nikhil Kumaraswamy said that Channapattana constituency was of high importance in the state by-elections as it was where his father, H D Kumaraswamy, had competed. "I am visiting each and every village. I make a humble request for your full co-operation and faith. Channapattana has seen a lot of development during the time of Deve Gowdaji and Kumaranna", he stated.
