The political landscape in Maharashtra is currently ablaze with controversy as Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposes the induction of Nawab Malik, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), into the ruling alliance. The rift has ignited a war of words among leaders from different factions, adding fuel to an already tense political scenario.
The controversy began when Fadnavis wrote a letter to his counterpart, NCP leader Ajit Pawar, expressing strong reservations about Nawab Malik’s inclusion in the ‘Maha Yuti’ alliance. Malik, who is currently out on medical bail after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in February 2022 in connection to a money-laundering probe linked to Dawood Ibrahim, attended the Winter Session of the Maharashtra Assembly on Thursday. Fadnavis argued that due to the serious allegations against Malik, it would be improper to induct him into the ruling alliance.The reactions to Fadnavis’s letter have been swift and varied, with leaders from different political factions offering their perspectives on the matter.
NCP MP Supriya Sule condemned the BJP’s stance, declaring, “What BJP did to Nawab Malik is wrong…Nawab Malik fought against the drug mafia. BJP has become the ‘Bhrasht Jumla Party’ and Nawab Malik continued to expose them.” Sule expressed confidence in the judicial system, stating, “Everybody is innocent till they are proven guilty. So, how can the BJP level false allegations? I am confident that the Court will do justice, and Nawab Malik will have justice.”
Ajit Pawar, responding to Fadnavis’s letter, maintained that he would present his point of view after Nawab Malik officially stated his position. He emphasized, “I do not decide who sits where in the Assembly; the speaker makes that decision.”
The internal divisions within the NCP became apparent as faction leaders expressed contrasting views. While Amol Mitkari, a leader from Ajit Pawar’s faction, highlighted Nawab Malik’s role as the party’s spokesperson and senior leader, Sunil Tatkare downplayed the controversy, stating that Malik was only an old political associate, and no formal discussions on joining the faction had taken place.
The Shiv Sena, an ally in the ruling alliance, also weighed in on the matter. UBT Sena leader Sanjay Raut dismissed the developments as a pretense, alleging that the BJP was engaging in a farce. He drew parallels with allegations against other leaders in the Ajit Pawar faction, questioning the selective targeting of Nawab Malik.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi labeled Fadnavis’s letter as hypocrisy, stating, “This is hypocrisy. There is a vast difference between their words and actions…This hypocrisy is because they are drunk on power.”