Mumbai: The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday named senior party leader Nawab Malik’s daughter Sana Malik as the candidate for the Anushakti Nagar constituency, currently represented by her father. Sana Mailk’s candidature strengthens the chances of Nawab Malik to contest the polls from the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency as an independent candidate, as the NCP is under pressure from the BJP leadership not to field him as a Mahayuti candidate from the seat.

Sana was named in the NCP’s second list of seven candidates for the upcoming assembly elections, which was released on Friday. With this, the total number of candidates declared by NCP has reached 45.

“I have been nominated from Anushakti Nagar. Since the people are with us, I don’t see any problem. Let them field anyone,” she said after being declared a candidate.

It was Nawab Malik who asked for Sana to be declared a candidate from Anushakti Nagar as he wants to contest from the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar seat, which is represented by Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi, party insiders said.

Though Malik was expecting a ticket from the NCP, the BJP leadership is against his candidature as he is under investigation for money laundering. BJP leaders have expressed reservations about him publicly, with the party’s Mumbai president Ashish Shelar saying on Friday: “Devendra Fadnavis has made it clear that Nawab Malik will not be part of the Mahayuti coalition as he faces serious charges.”

Malik, on his part, has prepared to contest the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar bypolls. “He will not back down even if the party does not give him the candidature,” his close aide said.

The NCP leadership is still trying to convince the BJP to allow Malik’s candidature, party sources said. “The matter is still under discussion and we expect a decision on it in the next two days,” said an NCP leader, requesting anonymity.

NCP president and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said, “The nominations to contest polls can be submitted till October 29. We will take the decision at the appropriate time.”