Mumbai: Sana Malik, daughter of NCP leader Nawab Malik, is set to be the NCP-AP candidate from Anushakti Nagar. This constituency, traditionally a stronghold of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is held by her father Nawab Mallik.
Sana Malik’s candidacy comes amid a broader seat-sharing agreement in the Maha Yuti alliance, where NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), BJP, and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) have collaborated to secure key constituencies. While her father, Nawab Malik, who has represented the Anushakti Nagar seat in the past, is likely to contest from the Shivajinagar-Mankhurd constituency, Sana will take over the reins in Anushakti Nagar.
However the BJP is not comfortable projecting Nawab Mallik as a candidate of the Mahayuti, said a senior leader of the party. Nawab Malik a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s politics continues to face BJP’s opposition and the BJP may force Ajit Pawar to drop his candidature.
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As for Sana, her nomination is seen as part of NCP’s efforts to promote youth and women leaders, aligning with Ajit Pawar’s recent push to reserve seats for minority candidates.
Sana Malik’s main challenge may come from the Samajwadi Party (SP), which is eyeing Anushakti Nagar seat for Fahad Ahmed, activist and husband of actress Swara Bhaskar. If this alliance materializes, it will set up a high-profile contest between Sana Malik and Fahad Ahmed, making this constituency a closely watched one.
