Owaisi visit to Gujarat creates panic in BJP and Congress: AIMIM

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.

Ahmedabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has decided to contest the elections to the local self-government bodies in Gujarat in alliance with the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP). AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi is visiting Gujarat on February 7 for the election campaign.

AIMIM has sought police permission for roadshow and public meeting

During his 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 the rally at 6 in the evening at the Sabarmati riverfront, which is also considered as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream project. Millions of people are expected to attend the rally for which the AIMIM has sought police permission for holding roadshow and rally. However, police have not yet given permission. According to the party spokesperson, 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 equation has 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 stand and his party is known to affect polarisation of voters. The alliance between Owaisi’s AIMIM and Chhotu Vasava’s Bharatiya Tribal Party 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 a 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.