With a significant shift in the political landscape, Okhla’s Muslim vote bank could divide, potentially benefiting the BJP in Delhi’s upcoming assembly elections.
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The battle for the Okhla assembly seat in the upcoming elections has become one of the most talked-about contests in the city. Historically a Muslim-majority constituency, Okhla has been home to fierce political battles, and the entry of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has only added to the intrigue. The 2025 election promises to be a triangular contest, with three prominent Muslim candidates vying for votes in a constituency that has seen significant political shifts in recent years.
Amanatullah Khan, the incumbent AAP MLA from Okhla, has been at the centre of a war of words since AIMIM’s entry into the race. Khan, who has represented Okhla in the Delhi assembly for the past two terms, has been a vocal critic of Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM. In a video shared on social media, Khan accused Owaisi of attempting to split the Muslim vote and benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “He wants to divide your vote with emotions and hand the seat to the BJP,” Khan said, pointing out that Owaisi had no real connection to the struggles of the local Muslim community.
Khan’s frustration stems from the growing influence of AIMIM in Muslim-dominated constituencies. “I had hoped to raise your voice, but I felt disappointed when Owaisi came here to defeat me,” he added, expressing his discontent over AIMIM’s interference in Okhla’s electoral politics.
However, AIMIM has not backed down. Majid Hussain, an MLA from Nampally in Telangana, defended Owaisi during a public meeting in Okhla. Hussain slammed Khan, accusing him of furthering the BJP’s agenda. “You live on the land of the Waqf Board, and yet you criticise our leader. My chief, Asaduddin Owaisi, would die for the community, but your leader Arvind Kejriwal blamed the Tablighi Jamaat during the coronavirus pandemic,” Hussain said, referring to Kejriwal’s controversial remarks. He also mocked Khan’s leadership, calling him a “Shakti Kapoor” — a popular Hindi film villain — for allegedly acting against the interests of the community.
The entry of AIMIM into the Okhla contest has the potential to split the Muslim vote, which makes up over 53% of the electorate in the constituency. This division could benefit the BJP, which has fielded Manish Chaudhary, a prominent municipal councillor with strong influence in the Muslim community. Chaudhary’s candidacy represents a new strategy for the BJP, which has struggled to gain ground in Okhla’s Muslim-majority constituency.
For the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the contest represents an uphill battle. Amanatullah Khan has enjoyed significant support from Muslim voters in past elections, but with the introduction of multiple Muslim faces, the vote share could fracture, and Khan may lose his traditional base. The Congress has fielded Ariba Khan, the daughter of former Okhla MLA Asif Mohammad Khan, in an attempt to reassert the party’s presence in the constituency, which it once dominated.
The BJP, however, sees an opportunity in the situation. “With three strong Muslim faces in the fray, the chances of the vote splitting are higher. This opens a window of opportunity for the BJP to secure its first win in Okhla,” political analysts say.
The Okhla assembly seat has a rich electoral history, having been contested eight times since the 1990s. Congress has traditionally held a stronghold in the constituency, with Parvez Hashmi being the most successful candidate, having won multiple terms for the party. However, in recent elections, the AAP has emerged as a strong contender, winning both the 2015 and 2020 assembly elections with Amanatullah Khan at the helm.
In the 2020 Delhi elections, Amanatullah Khan secured a decisive victory, receiving 66.03% of the vote, while the BJP’s Brahm Singh trailed far behind with just 29.65%. Despite this, the rise of AIMIM and the fielding of multiple strong candidates from the Muslim community may change the dynamics significantly in the upcoming elections.
The Candidate Roster for 2025 Elections in Okhla:
- AAP: Amanatullah Khan, the incumbent MLA, aiming for a third consecutive term.
- Congress: Ariba Khan, the daughter of former MLA Asif Mohammad Khan, looking to revive her family’s political legacy.
- BJP: Manish Chaudhary, the municipal councillor with a strong presence in the local Muslim community.
- AIMIM: Shifa-ur-Rehman Khan, accused in the 2020 Delhi riots, representing Owaisi’s party.
The constituency has a total of 380,268 voters, with 53% identifying as Muslim. The significant Muslim vote has historically been a deciding factor in determining the winner, and this remains the case in the 2025 election. However, with the rise of new political players, traditional voting patterns may be challenged.
The February 5, 2025 election will be crucial in determining whether AAP can maintain its hold on the seat, or if Congress, AIMIM, or BJP will emerge victorious. The results will be announced on February 8, 2025.
The contest for Okhla’s assembly seat in 2025 has evolved into a complex battle, with multiple parties vying for the support of a divided Muslim electorate. The presence of AIMIM has only added fuel to the fire, with accusations flying between AAP and AIMIM. Whether the BJP can capitalise on the divided vote or if AAP will continue its dominance remains to be seen. What is clear is that Okhla’s political future is more unpredictable than ever before.
As the election date approaches, all eyes will be on the Okhla constituency, where the Muslim vote could determine the outcome of one of Delhi’s most contentious electoral battles.
