NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday reiterated his government’s firm stance against supporting Nawab Malik ’s candidacy in the upcoming assembly elections, stating that his party "will not change its stand."
"Our decision is clear, and our candidate is also contesting. Our stand is clear... We will not change our stand... We will see on November 4. Ajit Pawar is our alliance partner, and we will work in alliance," Shinde told news agency ANI.
Shinde’s remarks come amid mounting controversy surrounding Malik, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate backed by Ajit Pawar. Malik’s candidacy from the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency has sparked fierce backlash, particularly from the BJP , due to his alleged links to figures involved in national security issues. Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar was vocal in his criticism, stating that his party “cannot associate with such people” and would actively support a candidate running against Malik.
Earlier, while addressing questions about the NCP’s candidate choices, Pawar confirmed that clarity on selections across constituencies would come by November 4. However, Pawar’s remarks did little to quell the rising tensions surrounding Malik’s candidacy, with Shelar sharply opposing the move. “BJP’s stance against anyone linked to an international terrorist like Dawood is clear,” Shelar said, adding that the party would firmly support Malik’s opponents.
In his interview to ANI, Shinde elaborated on his alliance’s broader vision, underscoring the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition’s commitment to the ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray, the late Shiv Sena founder. Shinde claimed that Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership compromised these ideals by forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with the Congress, which he argued was driven by “personal interests” clashing with the Shiv Sena’s foundational values. “We attempted to form a Shiv Sena-BJP coalition government but faced obstacles, which ultimately led us to listen to the people of Maharashtra,” Shinde said.
Responding to opposition criticisms labelling his government a “puppet” of the central government, Shinde asserted that Maharashtra has benefitted greatly from alignment with the BJP-led central administration. He cited praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah as evidence of the Mahayuti government’s effective governance, emphasizing that the “double-engine” model has facilitated greater cooperation between state and central authorities to benefit Maharashtra’s citizens.
"Our decision is clear, and our candidate is also contesting. Our stand is clear... We will not change our stand... We will see on November 4. Ajit Pawar is our alliance partner, and we will work in alliance," Shinde told news agency ANI.
Shinde’s remarks come amid mounting controversy surrounding Malik, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate backed by Ajit Pawar. Malik’s candidacy from the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency has sparked fierce backlash, particularly from the BJP , due to his alleged links to figures involved in national security issues. Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar was vocal in his criticism, stating that his party “cannot associate with such people” and would actively support a candidate running against Malik.
Earlier, while addressing questions about the NCP’s candidate choices, Pawar confirmed that clarity on selections across constituencies would come by November 4. However, Pawar’s remarks did little to quell the rising tensions surrounding Malik’s candidacy, with Shelar sharply opposing the move. “BJP’s stance against anyone linked to an international terrorist like Dawood is clear,” Shelar said, adding that the party would firmly support Malik’s opponents.
In his interview to ANI, Shinde elaborated on his alliance’s broader vision, underscoring the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition’s commitment to the ideals of Balasaheb Thackeray, the late Shiv Sena founder. Shinde claimed that Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership compromised these ideals by forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with the Congress, which he argued was driven by “personal interests” clashing with the Shiv Sena’s foundational values. “We attempted to form a Shiv Sena-BJP coalition government but faced obstacles, which ultimately led us to listen to the people of Maharashtra,” Shinde said.
Responding to opposition criticisms labelling his government a “puppet” of the central government, Shinde asserted that Maharashtra has benefitted greatly from alignment with the BJP-led central administration. He cited praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah as evidence of the Mahayuti government’s effective governance, emphasizing that the “double-engine” model has facilitated greater cooperation between state and central authorities to benefit Maharashtra’s citizens.
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