jollibet Delhi Polls: AIMIM Fields 2020 Riots Accused Tahir Hussain; BSP, JD(U) Push For Influence In Dalit, Purvanchali Voters

Updated:2025-01-13 04:16    Views:129

AIMIMslot machine casino games leader Tahir Hussain Photo: X/@pathan_sumaya AIMIM leader Tahir Hussain Photo: X/@pathan_sumaya

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)'s nominee Tahir Hussainjollibet, a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor who is lodged in jail for his alleged involvement in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, has approached the Delhi High Court seeking interim bail to contest the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM has fielded him from the Mustafabad constituency. He has petitioned for bail from January 14 to February 9. The matter is listed for hearing on January 13.

Hussain is charged in multiple cases that also include the murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer Ankit Sharma during the communal violence in February in 2020 in northeast Delhi. The Delhi High Court recently issued a notice on Hussain’s regular bail petition in the murder case, with further arguments scheduled for January 15.

He has argued in his plea that there is insufficient evidence against him. Most of the 20 prosecution witnesses examined so far, he contends, either "failed" to support the case or provided "unreliable" testimony.

Undermining the credibility of the police's witnesses, he further claims that their statements are riddled with "contradictions". His petition emphasises that there is no solid evidence in support of the charges related to instigating and conspiring in the riots.

ALSO READ | Delhi Elections 2025: How AAP, BJP And Congress Are Positioning For Victory

AIMIM’s Focus on North-East Delhi

By giving a ticket to Hussain, the AIMIM has marked its debut in the February 5 elections in the city. The party has planned to contest 10-12 seats in areas with significant Muslim populations, such as Chandni Chowk, Badarpur, Okhla, and Seelampur.

AIMIM's Delhi chief Shoaib Jamai says although his party will field its candidates in other constituencies as well, its focus will remain on northeast Delhi - where Muslims form a significant portion of the electorate. He says that while the party is considering naming its candidates in Assembly segments with at least 25-30% Muslim voters. "We may field candidates from those seats where Muslims make up 30% of the total voters," says Jamai.

Muslims constitute around 39.5% of the voters in the Mustafabad constituency, which is likely to emergency as a key battleground in the elections. The AIMIM’s decision to nominate Hussain, who was expelled from the AAP after being named in the riots, has sparked criticism from his former party. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party claims that Hussain's nomination could benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Jamai defended his party's decision, calling it a "symbolic gesture". He accuses the ruling AAP of hypocrisy for expelling Hussain while nominating other controversial figures.

Hussain’s nomination also aligns with AIMIM's broader campaign theme of advocating for "haq and izzat" (rights and respect), as emphasised by Owaisi during a rally in New Mustafabad. The party is focusing on key issues like access to clean drinking water, better schools and overall development for the Muslim-majority constituencies in northeast Delhi.

ALSO READ | Delhi Election 2025: Amid AAP & Congress' Rift In Capital, INDIA Allies Rally Behind Kejriwal

Electoral landscape in North-East Delhi

A region marked by its diverse demographics, including significant OBC, Dalit, Muslim, and Purvanchali populations, northeast Delhi has emerged as a focal point for several political parties. The political landscape of the Trans Yamuna region is witnessing a surge of regional parties such as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) - all vying for influence in the Delhi Assembly.

The AIMIM’s focus on northeast Delhi comes as no surprise, as the party aims to tap into the Muslim vote bank. Muslims make up more than 50% of the vote share in Okhla and Seelampur, while the community forms around 40% of the electorate in seats like Mustafabad and Babarpur.

The political battle in these areas is expected to intensify as regional players attempt to capitalize on the communal fault lines exposed by the 2020 riots.

Despite its declining fortunes in recent years, the BSP is also contesting the elections with an emphasis on Purvanchali voters who live in a large number in northeast Delhi. The party had seen some success in the 2008 elections but has since struggled to maintain its relevance. 

Addressing a press conference, the former chief minister said he could not go to Tirupati as his party leaders and workers were issued notices by police warning them not to participate in his temple visit. Dubbing Naidu's rule as "Rakshasa Rajyam" (kingdom of demons), Jagan also attacked BJP for turning a blind eye on the laddu issue.

While Singh was told that he must adhere to the party's ideology and policies, he in turn informed the party brass that he was misquoted by the media.

Delhi BSP President Lakshman Singh hints that the party will continue to focus on the region. However, it has not yet announced its candidates.

Similarly, bolstered by its success in securing significant votes of the Purvanchali community in 2020, the JD(U) is expecting a "strong performance" in northeast Delhi. 

JD(U)'s Working President Sanjay Jha says that the party is in talks with the BJP over seat-sharing arrangements. We want to field candidates from northeast Delhi, Badarpur and Palam.

The JD(U)jollibet, the BSP, and the AIMIM seeking to expand their influence in a region shaped by the scars of the 2020 unrest and complex demographics, northeast Delhi is likely to remain one of the important battlegrounds of the national capital.