Demanding Cabinet minister Nawab Malik’s resignation, BJP leader and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday it was unfortunate that the government was defending a person who has a financial deal with India’s most wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim and his cronies in Mumbai.

Fadnavis, the leader of opposition in the state Assembly, said by not asking Malik, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate, to resign, the MVA government was sending a signal to a particular community. “The government is polarising the communities by protecting Malik. There is no bigger crime than dealing with and helping a terrorist. Saving such a person is unfortunate,” he said, adding, “We will have to say that this government is dedicated to Dawood Ibrahim if Nawab Malik is not sacked immediately.”