Mumbai (Maharashtra): Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik said on Sunday that the political landscape in Maharashtra is characterized by "Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram" politics. He emphasized that Ajit Pawar will play the role of kingmaker in the elections.
Malik, who is contesting from the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar seat as an NCP candidate, said that the election outcome is uncertain, and it is difficult to predict which party will secure a clear majority.
"It is a neck-and-neck fight in Maharashtra. We can't be certain about who will get a clear majority. One or two parties will not form the government. There are multiple parties in both alliances. However, it is certain that no government can be formed without considering Ajit Pawar," Malik said while speaking to ANI.
He added that the political climate in Maharashtra is unpredictable, citing the prevailing "Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram" politics, which complicates the election landscape.
"We cannot predict who will get the majority. On both sides, there is an alliance of three or more parties. In 2019, who was with whom? Who went where? In Maharashtra, it's uncertain which leaders will remain in which party. There is politics of Aaya Ram gaya Raam (the dynamics are shifting) with Congress leaders moving to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and BJP leaders joining Congress. Those who were in the BJP have joined the NCP. After the results, anything can happen, but I believe Ajit Pawar will play a key role. No one can overlook the fact that Ajit Pawar will play the role of kingmaker in Maharashtra," Malik said.
When asked about the possibility of withdrawing his candidacy, the senior NCP leader confirmed he had not received any instructions to do so.
"If Ajit Pawar didn't want me to contest, I wouldn't have been given the candidature. I am sure I am contesting the elections as an NCP candidate. No conversation has happened around this. It is confirmed that I am running in the polls," Malik said.
Speaking to ANI, Malik reiterated his commitment to the NCP, saying that the Mahayuti alliance is contesting against him in the upcoming elections.
"I am the candidate of the Nationalist Congress Party, and I am with Ajit Pawar. The Mahayuti alliance, whether from the BJP or Shiv Sena, is fighting against me, and my fight is with them," he said.
The BJP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) have expressed their opposition to Malik's candidature, with BJP Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar clarifying that the party would not campaign in support of him. Shiv Sena has also voiced opposition, claiming Malik's alleged links to underworld don and gangster Dawood Ibrahim.
The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress claimed 44. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42.
