Ahmedabad: Election dates for the local self-government bodies in Gujarat have been announced. Polling for six municipal corporations is scheduled to be held on February 21. In the election fray, this time are Aam Aadmi Party and Owaisi’s AIMIM besides the BJP and Congress. The chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi will be addressing public meetings on February 7 in Bharuch and Ahmedabad.
The report about Owaisi campaigning for elections in Gujarat has triggered discussions in BJP and Congress. Which party would benefit or lose if the AIMIM contests the elections? Or is the AIMIM only trying to build a base?
- AIMIM to contest from Ahmedabad and Bharuch
- People are expected to attend Owaisi’s election rally in large numbers
- He will address the public meeting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream project Sabarmati riverfront
- AIMIMo has sought police permission for road show and public meeting
During the visit, Owaisi will be addressing election rallies in Bharuch and Ahmedabad. Preparations are on for Owaisi’s public meetings in Ahmedabad and Bharuch. Owaisi is scheduled to address rally at 6 in the evening at the Sabarmati riverfront.
However, the police has not yet given its permission. A large number of people from the predominantly Muslim localities of Ahmedabad like Juhapura, Sarkhej, Jamalpur, Dariapur, Shahpur, Gomtipur and Rakhial are expected to attend the rally.
Political equations have changed: AIMIM spokesman
AIMIM spokesman Danish Qureshi, in an exclusive interview to ETV Bharat, said the coming elections to the local bodies are going to prove important for the state’s politics. Following Owaisi’s announcement to field his party’s candidates in Gujarat the political equation is expected to change. AIMIM is likely to contest from 12 wards in Ahmedabad and from all seats in Bharuch.
AIMIM has formed an alliance with BTP
Owaisi is known for his tough stands on issues. The alliance between Owaisi’s AIMIM and Chhotu Vasava’s Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) is expected to impact the outcome of the Bharuch municipal body and district and taluka panchayat elections.
Congress jittery over AIMIM’s entry in Gujarat
Owaisi’s AIMIM has not yet declared the names of its candidates. Yet, Owaisi has already created buzz in Ahmedabad’s Muslim localities. Congress appears to have become jittery after certain influential people extended their support to Owaisi. There is fear in the Congress that Owaisi’s party would cut into the Congress votes. The Congress leadership is likely to issue a mandate for the Muslim localities as it fears rebellion in localities like Jamalpur, Gomtipur and Maktampur.
Who will benefit from Owaisi’s decision to contest from Gujarat?
It is certain that if Owaisi’s AIMIM contests local body polls in Ahmedabad and Bharuch, it would cut into the votes of Congress and thus prove to BJP’s advantage. The margin of votes among the candidates of BJP, Congress and AIMIM would be very slender. Till now, Muslim voters were considered the vote bank of the Congress. With the AIMIM in the fray, there would be a dent in the Congress vote bank.
