The party will concentrate on those areas which are dominated by Muslim and Dalit population.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) which had opened its account in Maharashtra by winning two seats in the 2014 Maharashtra assembly polls is likely to contest around 60 seats in Mumbai and will concentrate on those areas which are dominated by Muslims and Dalits population. The party will focus on areas like Byculla, Nagpada, Mumbai central, Govandi, Kurla, Andheri, Malad, Malvani, Jogeshwari which have a sizeable number of Muslim residents. AIMIM will be focusing on four municipal corporations viz Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Solapur. The Asaduddin Owaisi led party might alter political equations in the city at a time when Shiv Sena and BJP are yet to make a final decision on having pre-poll alliance for BMC polls. The party’s morale is at an all-time high after winning 40 seats in the recent Municipal Council polls.
AIMIM MLA from Aurangabad central Imtiaz Jaleel said, “Our party will contest around 60 seats in Mumbai and 40 seats in Pune Municipal Corporation polls. We will contest 25 seats in Pimpri-Chinchwad and 40 to 50 seats in Solapur civic body election. Areas like Byculla, Nagpada, Mumbai central, Govandi, Kurla, Andheri, Malad, Malvani, Jogeshwari have become our strongholds.”
“Congress party always woos Muslims but have often sidelined them after coming to power. People have lost faith in BJP and Congress and are looking for other alternatives. We are preparing a detailed schedule for the Owaisi brothers meetings, which will commence in February. We will work for the welfare of Muslims and provide amenities for them,” he added.
Few days back, Asaduddin Owaisi had kickstarted campaigning activities in the city. He said that despite having an annual budget of Rs 37,500 crore, the BMC had failed to fulfill its responsibilities as a planning authority. Owaisi had also expressed his displeasure over the civic body’s failure to utilise the budget for citizen’s welfare. AIMIM is confident of winning atleast 20 seats in the BMC election.
On the other hand, Shiv Sena Industries Minister Subhash Desai said, “Shiv Sena is not worried about AIMIM’s entry into poll fray. The party will create a dent in the traditional vote bank of Congress and Samajwadi Party.”
In the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly polls, Waris Pathan had won from the Byculla constituency and former journalist Imtiaz Jaleel emerged victorious from the Aurangabad constituency. The party also won 26 seats in the Aurangabad civic election. It opened account in Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation with four corporator seats. The party had clinched 11 of the 81 seats in Nanded Municipal Corporation elections.
