AAP candidate accuses AIMIM chief of dividing Muslim leadership
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The political battle in the Delhi Assembly seat of Okhla has intensified as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan responded sharply to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s allegations that AAP has failed to bring development to the constituency over the past decade.
During a campaign speech, Owaisi criticised AAP’s governance in Okhla, stating, “For 10 years, Kejriwal’s MLAs have done nothing here, and now people are angry. We are seeing a positive change this time because the people of Okhla are tired of being neglected. We will win from this constituency.”
In response, Khan launched a scathing attack on Owaisi, accusing him of undermining Muslim leadership in India. “I would like to tell this Hyderabadi (Asaduddin Owaisi)… This is the first time your party is standing against me, the first time anyone has dared to challenge me. This is the first time you have come to Okhla, the only place in India where the most educated Muslims live. The people of Okhla are smart and will not be influenced by you.”
The Okhla MLA did not hold back, challenging Owaisi’s electoral ambitions in the area. “I will leave this Hyderabadi in a state where he will never dare to talk about Muslim leadership again. He will never step foot in Okhla again,” he said.
Khan further alleged that Owaisi’s decision to field candidates in Muslim-majority constituencies was a deliberate attempt to divide the Muslim vote, which he argued would ultimately benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“For the past 15 days, you and your party leaders have been trying to win the hearts of voters. I have been called by several derogatory names like Dalal, and on other occasions, they allege that my bail will be rejected and so on,” he stated, hitting back at Owaisi’s campaign rhetoric.
The electoral fight for Okhla has become a flashpoint in the broader contest for the Delhi Assembly, with AAP, BJP, and Congress competing for dominance. AIMIM has also entered the fray, fielding Shifa-ur Rahman for Okhla and Tahir Hussain for Mustafabad. However, political analysts suggest that AIMIM’s presence could lead to a split in the Muslim vote, potentially affecting the outcome in key constituencies.
With just a day left for the crucial elections, political tensions continue to rise as candidates and party leaders make their final push to win voter support. The coming days will determine whether AAP retains its hold on Okhla or if AIMIM manages to make inroads in the constituency.
