The BJP is displeased with the inclusion of MLA Nawab Malik in the treasury benches of the Maharashtra assembly alongside the Nationalist Congress Party’s Ajit Pawar faction.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed his dissatisfaction with Ajit Pawar, who joined the alliance unexpectedly in August. Malik, previously in jail on charges of connections with the underworld, attended the assembly today after being released on bail. Sitting with the Ajit Pawar faction has sparked speculation that he has aligned with them. This development became the focal point of discussions on the first day of the Winter Session, prompting Fadnavis to send a letter to Pawar.
According to sources, Fadnavis wrote to Ajit Pawar, stating, “Given the charges against Nawab Malik, it would not be right to include him in the ruling alliance.” In the letter, Devendra Fadnavis emphasized that “power comes and goes, but the country is important.”
He added, “If the charges against them are not proven, we must welcome them. However, we are of the clear opinion that it is not appropriate to include them in our alliance when there are such allegations against him.” Earlier today, senior Shiv Sena leader Ambadas Danve from the Uddhav Thackeray faction criticized the BJP and the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, questioning how they could permit Nawab Malik to join after accusing him of corruption for months.
