Former MLA’s daughter and niece of Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Areeba Khan, takes on strong contenders in Okhla
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The Congress party has released its third list of candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, confirming Areeba Khan as its contender from the Okhla seat. Areeba, daughter of former MLA Asif Khan and niece of Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, will face fierce competition from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sitting MLA Amanatullah Khan, who has previously won from this seat twice.
The third list, which includes 16 new names, sees several key changes and confirmations. Former Union Minister Krishna Tirath has been fielded from Patel Nagar, while a replacement has been made in the Gokulpur-SC seat. Ishwar Bagri will now contest from Gokulpur in place of Pramod Kumar Jayant. Senior leader Bheesh Sharma will continue to contest from the Ghonda seat.
The party has made significant moves to strengthen its presence in strategic constituencies. Farhad Suri will represent Congress from the Jangpura seat, a stronghold of AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Meanwhile, Rajesh Lalothia will contest from Seemapuri, Mukesh Sharma from Uttamnagar, and Devendra Sehrawat from Bijwasan.
Areeba Khan’s entry into the race for Okhla has drawn significant attention, considering the presence of powerful candidates. Amanatullah Khan of AAP, a two-time winner, holds a solid grasp on the constituency, making the upcoming contest one of the most anticipated in the Delhi elections. Meanwhile, the BJP has fielded Manish Chaudhary from Okhla, while the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-e-Muslimeen (AIMIM) has named Shafa-ur-Rehman, a controversial figure linked to the Delhi riots, as its candidate.
Areeba Khan’s political background has already sparked conversations. Areeba comes from a family deeply involved in politics. With a strong political lineage behind her, she is now ready to carve her own path in the Delhi Assembly elections.
When asked about her plans for Okhla, Areeba said, “I am committed to working for the welfare of the people of Okhla. This area has a rich history, and I will ensure that the concerns of the local people are heard and addressed.”
With 63 candidates announced so far, the Congress Party aims to strengthen its position in the Delhi Assembly elections. Although Areeba Khan faces tough competition in Okhla, her entry signals a renewed effort by Congress to make a mark in a region dominated by AAP and BJP. Political analysts believe that Congress could capitalise on local issues and its connection to the constituency to make inroads.
As the Delhi Assembly elections draw near, the political landscape in Okhla remains charged with anticipation, and Areeba Khan’s campaign will be one to watch closely in the weeks to come.
