HYDERABAD: After opening its account in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka local bodies polls, Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is all set to expand its footprint in Delhi by contesting the municipal corporation elections in the state.
Elections are due in south, north and east municipal corporations in April 2022 and the AIMIM is preparing the ground to enter the fray from at least 70 seats out of the total 272 in the three civic bodies.
The AIMIM may contest in 35 to 40 seats in east Delhi and the remaining in north and south corporations. The BJP has been ruling the three corporations of Delhi for the last 15 years.
AIMIM Delhi state president Kaleem Ul Hafeez told TOI that they were banking on Muslim-Dalit combination of votes to emerge as a political force in the national capital. The AIMIM is also planning to run for the mayor’s post by fielding a Dalit as its mayoral candidate in east municipal corporation of Delhi where population of Muslims and Dalits is 50 per cent.
“Muslims are looking for an alternative. They are vexed with the Aam Aadmi Party. They do not want to vote for the BJP. They have lost confidence in Congress. Even Dalits have a soft corner for Owaisi,” Kaleem said. The Majlis party had drawn a blank in the Delhi municipal polls in 2017.
Kaleem said Muslims want a leader from their own community and Owaisi fits the bill as a ‘pan-India leader’ of the minorities. He also said civic amenities were in a bad shape. “There are no primary schools. Muslims have bigger issues such as security and they are looking at Owaisi’s party to emerge as a major player in national politics,” Kaleem explained.
Since May this year, the Majlis party has held 17 candlelight rallies and protests in support of minorities and Dalits. It is slated to hold a conference of 5,000 party workers drawn from various wards in the three municipal corporations.
Since May this year, the Majlis party has held 17 candlelight rallies and protests in support of minorities and Dalits. It is slated to hold a conference of 5,000 party workers from various wards
