In what could disturb the political calculations of the so-called secular parties of Maharashtra, the Hyderabad-based All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) led by Asaduddin Owaisi has announced that it will field 30-40 candidates in the upcoming state assembly polls. The party is relying mainly on Muslim and Dalit votes, and promises them development, jobs, education and health services.
Though the exact number of seats is yet to be decided, the party has already started preparing for elections in Marathwada, Vidarbha, Mumbai, Malegaon, etc. The seats it plans to contest includes nearly 10 from the Mumbai-Thane region. Since the party has little to show for except some work in Nanded, it has decided to focus its campaign on Owaisi's work in Hyderabad to attract young voters.
The AIMIM has 13 councillors in the Nanded municipal corporation, including a Dalit and a Maratha member. It is trying to project itself as a champion of both Muslims and Dalits, thus seeking to create a dent in the vote banks of the Congress, NCP and Samajwadi Party.
Confirming the development Party's state chief Syed Moin claimed, "We have created inroads amongst Muslims, Dalits and other marginalised sections of the society in the past two years and are hoping to win a good number seats." The party is also in talks with other parties and organisations working for the cause of Dalits and other marginalised sections for alliances, said Moin.
"Muslims and Dalits have been voting for the Congress and NCP for years hoping for a change in their fortunes, but both the parties have cheated them. They failed to provide jobs, education and health services to poor. Their government has jailed many innocent Muslims in false terror cases," said Moin when asked what issues that party planned to raise.
Party leaders insisted that AIMIM is 60 years old and that the Owaisis had done wonderful work in providing education and health services to people in Hyderabad which it would replicated in Maharashtra.
Asaduddin Owaisi, 45, known for his provocative speeches, along with his brother Akbaruddin, has been harbouring a dream since years to take their party to a national level. They are also planning to contest assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat and other states.
Congress denied any Owaisi effect in Maharashtra. Al Nasser Zakaria, the party spokesperson said, "MIM may dent some votes of Samajwadi party as both play divisive politics but our support base is intact as our ideology is inclusive. Moreover, liberal Muslims would always support us."
SP's state chief Abu Asim Azmi however had a more realistic approach. "Muslims and north-Indians are our main supporters and Owaisi's party might affect the prospects of my party and Congress to some extent. To avoid any division in secular votes, I have already proposed an alliance with the Congress and NCP. This is more apt considering the results of Bihar by-polls," Azmi said.
Political commentator Surendra Jondhale warned that Owaisi's entry could spell more trouble for the SP than Congress as it the former failed to consolidate Muslims votes despite their disillusion from the Congress, which will in turn benefit the BJP and Sena. "Many Muslims who have been traditionally voting for the SP may be attracted towards AIMIM as they would consider Owaisi's fundamental stand as a retaliation to hardcore Hindutva politics."
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