The AIMIM chief has taken a unique approach to rally support for Imtiaz Jalil amidst growing competition in Maharashtra.
Team Clarion
AURANGABAD — As the electoral battle heated up in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad constituency, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi brought his signature style of campaigning from Hyderabad to the streets of this historic city, now named Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Amidst a competitive landscape and the emergence of new contenders, Owaisi took to the streets of Bijapur in Aurangabad, rallying support for his party’s lone MP, Imtiaz Jalil.
Known for his grassroots campaigning style, Owaisi’s method of soliciting votes involves personally engaging with the public, microphone in hand, reminiscent of his approach in Hyderabad. In Aurangabad, he embarked on a similar endeavour, walking through the streets, appealing to residents to support the AIMIM.
Accompanied by a large contingent of party workers, Owaisi’s presence in Aurangabad marks a concerted effort to retain the seat won by Imtiaz Jalil in the previous election. The AIMIM’s victory in Aurangabad ended the Shiv Sena’s three-decade-long dominance by a narrow margin of votes, making Jalil the first Muslim member of parliament from Maharashtra in 20 years.
However, the current electoral landscape presents new challenges for the AIMIM. With both factions of the Shiv Sena, namely Shiv Sena (Shinde) and Shiv Sena (Udhav), contesting the election, and the formidable presence of independent candidate Harsh Vardhan Jadhav, who garnered significant support in the last election, the competition has intensified.
Adding to the complexity, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, instead of aligning with the AIMIM, has fielded a Muslim candidate, setting the stage for a fierce and intriguing contest. Despite the increased competition, Owaisi’s unconventional campaigning style has injected unique dynamics into the electoral race.
