The anti-CAA movement, the political rights of Muslims and the backward condition of the community have now hogged the limelight, sidelining the issues of free electricity and water
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — In the run-up to the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections, the electoral fortunes of the incarcerated All India Majlis Ittehdul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidates from Okhla and Mustafabad constituencies have taken an interesting turn with major developments seen as positive in their favour.
In Okhla, AIMIM’s Shifa-ur Rahman has created ripples in the fierce battle against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s well-known and two-time MLA Amanatullah Khan and Congress councillor Areeba Khan. Similarly, in Mustafabad, Tahir Hussain, fielded by AIMIM after being spurned by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over allegations related to the 2020 Delhi riots, has created waves offering a robust fight to AAP’s Aadil Khan and Congress’s Ali Mehdi.
Not so long ago, the Muslim electorate in both these constituencies was tilting towards the AAP enamoured by its several welfare schemes like free electricity and water. However, a perceptible change in public opinion is being noticed and the balance is slightly tilting towards AIMIM candidates due to various factors.
Speaking to Clarion India, Asad Ashraf, a journalist and a resident of Abul Fazal Enclave in Okhla, said a considerable shift is being seen in favour of Shifa-ur Rahman as the polling day nears.
“Yes, a huge crowd is turning up at AIMIM rallies addressed by Asaduddin Owaisi and Shifa-ur Rahman. But it remains to be seen whether this crowd translates into votes,” he said.
Two weeks ago, odds were heavily stacked against both the AIMIM candidates as they were not being taken seriously with voters showing absolutely no enthusiasm towards their candidature. Several voters Clarion India contacted when their candidature was announced, were sceptical and viewed them as also-rans even before the poll campaigning took off in right earnest. Muslim voters, already wary of a subdued Congress and a strident anti-Muslim BJP, all had their confidence and trust in AAP.
However, several developments in the meantime, have drastically shaped the public opinion in favour of the AIMIM candidates. Both Shifa-ur Rahman and Tahir Hussain have been languishing in prison for five years in the Delhi riots cases. The general perception is that both have wrongly been implicated in violence cases. Their release on parole, albeit custodial, for the election campaign, the padyatras of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and the social media support have significantly contributed to tilting the balance in their favour. Coupled with the mentioned reasons, AAP’s lacklustre campaign and Shifa-ur Rahman’s connection with the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) movement have contributed a lot in bolstering the image of AIMIM candidates.
In an emotional message, Shifa-ur Rahman, former president of Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association, recalled his fight against the CAA and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
“I did not care for my children. I did not care about my ailing mother. I did not care for my family members and relatives. I did not care about my friends and relatives who have passed away. If I’m put behind bars for justice for 50 years, I’m ready to remain in jail. But I will never bow my head against injustice,” he told a recent election rally.
He also recalled the contribution of freedom fighters and founders of the Jamia Millia Islamia Shaikh Mahmood Hasan and Maulana Mohammed Ali Johar saying that he too was associated with the same Jamia and the idea behind its establishment.
He also asserted that if he does not get support from the people, no other activists like him will stand up for the rights of the community in the future.
“Everyone wants that battle should be fought for the rights of the community. But he does not himself fight rather wants others to fight. The issue is that we will have to fight on our own. If we think to fight on our own, then we can come forward. Whatever this battle, we will have to fight on our own for our rights, existence, self-respect and dignity. Another person will not fight for us,” he said.
The entry of Shifa-ur Rahman has brought the anti-CAA movement, the political rights of Muslims and the backward condition of the community at the centre of the election campaign sidelining the issues of free electricity and water.
On the other hand, AAP’s election campaign in Okhla lacks any enthusiasm with the party’s star campaigners opting out of holding election rallies in the area. The only significant rally here was addressed by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.
Ashraf said “I feel that Muslims are supporting AAP only because of Amanatullah Khan. They are not supporting Khan due to AAP. It’s the personal persona of Khan. The party is also not giving much attention to this constituency”.
Meanwhile, AAP rivals and activists are also highlighting the statements of the party’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena about Tablighi Jamaat, JNU scholar Sharjeel Imam and their stoic silence on Muslim issues.
