Nawab Malik earlier served as Mumbai unit president of the united NCP before the split. (File photo)Months after being kept on the sidelines, former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Nawab Malik has staged a political comeback.At its core committee meeting on Wednesday, the party appointed him chief of its election coordination committee for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.“He will be responsible for deciding the party’s election strategy in Mumbai for the upcoming civic polls. It includes finalising the seats to be contested, candidates and overall coordination within the party,” a senior leader said after the meeting.Malik earlier served as Mumbai unit president of the united NCP before the split.After losing the 2024 Assembly election from Mankhurd–Shivajinagar, Malik had largely been politically inactive.He had vacated his earlier seat of Anushaktinagar for his daughter, who went on to win the poll. Malik could not be reached for comment.As chief of the election coordination committee, he is expected to lead seat-sharing talks with Mahayuti allies, the BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, if the three parties decide to contest the civic polls together.Story continues below this adIn the previous government’s term, Malik’s political journey saw dramatic shifts from being a cabinet minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray to being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).The BJP had opposed his presence on the treasury benches after Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP joined the Shinde government.The objection stemmed from his arrest on February 23, 2022, in a money laundering case related to the Goawala Compound property in Kurla.Granted bail in August 2023 on health grounds, Malik rejoined the NCP after the Ajit Pawar-led faction aligned with the BJP.Story continues below this adHis presence in the winter session of the state legislature in Nagpur caused discontent within the BJP.In a strongly worded letter, the then Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis stated: “We strongly oppose Nawab Malik’s inclusion in the ruling alliance. While he has the right to attend the Assembly session, his inclusion in the NCP is unacceptable, given he is on bail and has not been cleared of charges.”Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Nawab MalikNCP