30 Seats Could Be Enough For Mumbai Mayor: NCP’s Malik

Mumbai: Senior NCP leader Nawab Malik on Friday predicted the possibility of a hung Assembly, claiming that his party could emerge as the decider in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Malik, who oversaw the Nationalist Congress Party’s BMC campaign, expressed confidence that the party would cross the 14-seat mark and accused the Returning Officers (ROs) of acting under pressure while rejecting objections filed by NCP candidates in at least three districts.

Ajit Pawar-led NCP is contesting 94 seats independently in the BMC polls after its alliance partner BJP chose not to jointly contest the civic elections. The BJP has reportedly expressed reservations about the role of Malik, who is facing allegations of money laundering and links to Haseena Parker, the sister of Dawood Ibrahim, who is described as a terrorist.

Malik, who broke his silence after nearly three and a half years, spoke to journalists for the first time after leaving the public’s radar. Malik, who is also the chairman of NCP’s Mumbai Election Management Committee, said the electoral arithmetic in Mumbai has changed. “If someone can become the Chief Minister in Jharkhand with just one seat, then NCP can definitely have a Mayor in Mumbai, even with 30 seats,” he said.

The NCP leader said that since 2002, when the undivided NCP started contesting elections in Mumbai, a perception has been created that the party cannot go beyond 14 seats. “This time a completely different picture will emerge,” said Malik, adding that the organizational strength of the party will be clearly seen in these elections.

Referring to his decision to go it alone, Malik said that Ajit Pawar stood firmly by his side despite pressure from alliance partners. “Some leaders were clearly saying that they would not form an alliance if Nawab Malik got involved. But Ajit Pawar took a clear stand that there was no need for an alliance and the party should fight independently,” he said, without naming the BJP leaders. He called his decision to run solo “the right call.”

Malik said NCP fielded 94 candidates, including 14 from the North Indian community. He stated that the BMC election has turned into a multi-cornered contest with the BJP-Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance on one side; Shiv Sena (UBT) – NCP – MNS led by Sharad Pawar are merging into another; Congress-Vanchit alliance; and Ajit Pawar-led NCP is contesting as an independent.

Expressing serious concerns about the candidacy vetting process, Malik alleged that ROs arbitrarily reject nominations of NCP candidates, sometimes as late as 10.30 pm, while clearing unsuitable candidates. “It is the duty of the RO to strictly follow the law and laid down rules, but these are being ignored,” he alleged.

Citing specific cases, Malik said NCP candidate in Ward No. 151, Vandana Sabale, objected to the nomination of a BJP candidate in a reserved ward as she could not produce a valid caste certificate. “The certificate issued later was from Rajasthan and not from Maharashtra. Despite this, the nomination was accepted on the basis of the declaration submitted at 8.30 pm and this is illegal,” he said.

In Ward No. 119, Malik alleged that Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena candidate Rajesh Sonawane is a municipal vendor and hence ineligible to contest. “We submitted documentary evidence, including evidence of payments deposited into his account just four days ago, but the nomination was approved,” he said. He added that similar objections were also raised by the NCP in Ward No. 87.

Malik said the party would file a formal complaint with the State Election Commission regarding the alleged irregularities.