NCP MLA Nawab Malik, who is presently out on bail, participated in the Winter Session of the Maharashtra Assembly, where he engaged with party leaders from the Ajit Pawar faction. Following this, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis penned a letter to Ajit Pawar expressing his opposition to the inclusion of Nawab Malik in the Mahayuti government.
Devendra Fadnavis' communication surfaced after Nawab Malik attended the Winter Session, where he interacted with NCP leaders associated with the Ajit Pawar faction in the office of Minister Anil Bhaidas Patil.
Nawab Malik faced arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in 2022 in connection with a money laundering case linked to underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim, his brother Anees, Iqbal, aide Chota Shakeel, and others. Devendra Fadnavis had levied serious accusations against Malik, alleging involvement in dubious property deals with two convicts from the Bombay blasts case.
In the missive addressed to Ajit Pawar, Fadnavis acknowledged Malik's right to attend the assembly as an MLA and clarified that the BJP harbored no personal animosity toward him. However, given the serious allegations Malik faced, Fadnavis expressed reservations about his induction into the Mahayuti government. Noting that Malik was out on medical bail rather than regular bail, Fadnavis emphasized the need for careful consideration due to the nature of the accusations.
Fadnavis underscored the BJP's stance against aligning with the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government, which allowed Nawab Malik to continue as a minister even after his arrest on charges related to anti-national elements during his tenure as a cabinet minister in the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government.
In response to the controversy, the NCP voiced its support for Nawab Malik, dismissing the characterization of him as "anti-national" or "guilty" before the charges were proven in court. NCP MP Sunil Tatkare defended Malik, highlighting their long-standing professional relationship and clarifying that their meeting was purely an interaction between old colleagues without any political discussions. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leaders criticized the state government over Malik's presence in the treasury benches during the assembly session, raising questions about his affiliation with the NCP factions led by Ajit Pawar or Sharad Pawar.
Â
