Malik a senior colleague, haven't spoken to him about his political stand: Patel

Praful Patel working president of the Ajit Pawarled Nationalist Congress Party NCP group on Friday called Nawab Malik a senior colleague and said where he sits in the Maharashtra assembly wasnt an issue Patel said they have not yet spoken to Malik about his political views reported news ageny PTITalking to reporters in Nagpur Praful Patel said Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnaviss letter to Ajit Pawar on the issue of Malik being unwelcome in the ruling Mahayuti shouldnt be taken out of context reported PTIHe also visited both the deputy CMs at the Vidhan BhavanWe havent spoken to Malik about his political views after we decided to join the Mahayuti government on July 2 After his release from jail on medical bail we paid him a courtesy visit he saidPraful Patel said the Ajit Pawar group which has staked claim over the NCP Nationalist Congress Party name and its symbol has not submitted an affidavit on behalf of Malik to the Election Commission of India reported PTIHe slammed the Opposition for raking up Maliks seating issue in the assembly saying it has nothing constructive to offer after its defeat in the recently held assembly elections reported PTIEven Parliament is functioning well now It is clear Modi will return to power in 2024 and ShindeFadnavisAjit Pawar will form government in the state later next year he asserted reported PTIEarlier in the day Ajit Pawar said he would first speak with Malik to understand the former ministers position about his political affiliation before explaining his NCP groups stand on the matter reported PTIMeanwhile NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said that as a party spokesman Malik fought day and night for many leaders of the Ajit Pawar group I can vouch for it because I was an integral part of that journey he saidToday these leaders instead of supporting him are turning their back on him Ungratefulness he wrote on XOut on medical bail after the ED arrested him in February 2022 in a moneylaundering probe Malik attended the winter session of the state legislature here for the first time on Thursday and was later seen in the office of Ajit Pawarled faction of the NCP in the legislature complex In the House he was seen sitting in the last row next to an MLA of the Ajit Pawar faction reported PTIIn his letter to Ajit Pawar Fadnavis said Malik has the right to attend the assembly as an MLA and added that we the BJP do not harbour any personal animosity or grudge against him but it would not be appropriate to induct him in the Maha Yuti considering the kind of allegations he is facing reported PTIWe agree that it is your prerogative to decide who should be inducted in your party But every constituent party of the Maha Yuti has to think as to whether it would harm the alliance Hence we are opposed to this Fadnavis addedWith inputs from PTI