As a founding member of AIMIM in Maharashtra, Qadri has previously contested and won assembly elections from Aurangabad twice
Team Clarion
AURANGABAD – Not everything seems to be right in the All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) these days with founding member Syed Ghaffar Qadri expressing frustration over some crucial decisions, prompting speculation about his departure from the party.
Qadri, the state chief of the party, appears increasingly disillusioned, with reports suggesting he may be considering leaving MIM. This speculation intensified after a video surfaced showing Qadri discussing his grievances with party leadership during a meeting with supporters.
As a founding member of AIMIM in Maharashtra, Qadri has previously contested and won assembly elections from Aurangabad twice. In the video, he voiced his frustration regarding the party’s ticket distribution for the upcoming elections, specifically for the Aurangabad (East) constituency, where Imtiaz Jalil has been awarded the ticket instead of him. “Asaduddin Owaisi promised me, in front of Imtiaz Jalil at a hotel in Mumbai, that I would receive the ticket for Aurangabad East,” Qadri stated. However, he expressed disappointment when the list of candidates was released, featuring Jalil’s name instead.
“I remained silent initially, thinking if the leader had made a decision, it would be for the best. But after several days without a second list or my candidacy being announced, I began to worry about the future of these workers,” Qadri remarked. He recounted an interaction with Owaisi, in which he requested a brief discussion about the situation, only to be told that Owaisi had to attend a school function.
Qadri further explained, “I sent him a WhatsApp message, and he eventually replied that he would bring my concerns forward. But he questioned how Imtiaz Jalil could lose from Aurangabad, implying that I might be responsible for his defeat.” He attributed Jalil’s electoral failure to over-relying on votes from Adarsh scam victims, a lack of financial support, and not effectively mobilising party workers.
Following this exchange, Qadri opted not to attend a mushaira where he had hoped to have a more in-depth conversation. He is now actively seeking advice from his supporters and sympathisers regarding his future: whether to remain with the party, leave, or contest the upcoming election on another party’s ticket. He has encouraged his supporters to provide their thoughts calmly and thoughtfully as he navigates this pivotal decision.
