Veteran politician Nawab Malik’s daughter Sana Malik, a candidate of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has won her maiden election, defeating Fahad Ahmad of rival party faction NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). Ahmad (32) — husband of Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker — is also a debutant candidate.
As of 1.45pm, with 19 of 19 counting rounds completed, Malik (36) — an architect and lawyer — had a lead of nearly 3,400 votes over Ahmad in Anushaktinagar, a seat that was formed in 2008, and has been a bastion of Nawab Malik.
Ahmad alleged manipulation in the poll result, saying in an X post addressed to the Election Commission that “I am coming after you”.
Referring to Congress’ doubts about EVMs during the Haryana assembly polls — they raised questions about the outcome of EVMs with 99% charge, wondering how they maintained such high charge after the entire voting and counting process — Ahmad said, “After round 16 and a steady lead in all rounds.. EVM machines that were 99% charged were opened and BJP supported NCP Ajit Pawar candidate took a lead …
“This is rank manipulation. We demand a recount of rounds 16, 17, 18 and 19,” he added. “I was leading till 17th round, dilemma of 99% battery of CU (control unit) is still need to resolve (sic).”
Why Sana Malik Was Fielded
A report in The Indian Express noted that the NCP fielded Sana Malik after recent legal issues and allegations appeared to affect former minister Nawab Malik’s standing in the seat. Nawab Malik, who won the constituency in 2009 and 2019, is currently out on bail in a money laundering case allegedly linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his associates.
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The Enforcement Directorate had arrested Malik in February 2022. The case is based on an FIR filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Ibrahim, a designated global terrorist and a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, and his associates under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, PTI reported.
Earlier this month, Nawab Malik had said he would sue anyone who linked him to Ibrahim. He contested the Maharashtra assembly election 2024 from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar. As of 1.45 pm, he was trailing fourth in the seat, with Abu Azmi of the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the lead.
Fahad Ahmad is a former member of the SP who joined the NCP (SCP) in October. An Aligarh Muslim University alum, Ahmad has been an active student politician and participated in the anti-CAA agitation, The Times of India reported.