AIMIM Chief Reflects on Maharashtra Civic Poll Success
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has made significant strides in Maharashtra's recent civic elections. The party secured 126 corporator seats across 13 municipal corporations. This performance marks a notable recovery for AIMIM after its relatively weaker showings in previous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.
The results highlight the party's growing influence in urban Maharashtra, particularly in cities like Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Malegaon. AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi, the Hyderabad MP, recently discussed these developments in an interview.
Grassroots Work Drives Electoral Gains
When asked about the improved performance, Owaisi credited persistent grassroots efforts. "We have been active everywhere, even in places where we did not win in parliamentary and Assembly polls," he stated. The party maintained consistent engagement with communities, addressing local issues and organizing public meetings.
Owaisi emphasized the extensive travel undertaken by party leaders across key regions including Solapur, Latur, Nanded, Parbhani, and Dhule. He noted that despite coordinated opposition in parliamentary elections, AIMIM candidate Imtiyaz Jaleel secured over three lakh votes. The recent municipal election victories, according to Owaisi, reflect both divine grace and public trust earned through hard work.
Rejecting Religious Interpretation of Victories
The AIMIM leader challenged narratives framing his party's success through religious lenses. "You cannot look at everything only through the prism of one religion," Owaisi asserted. He pointed to diverse electoral outcomes, including a Hindu candidate winning in Aurangabad and varied performances across constituencies.
"It is wrong to see AIMIM's victory through the prism of religion," he continued. "What will you then call BJP victories?" This rhetorical question underscored his argument against simplistic religious interpretations of political results.
Questioning Secular Parties' Relevance
Owaisi addressed the apparent shift of minority votes away from traditional secular parties like Congress and Samajwadi Party. He suggested these parties should explain their own declining support rather than others analyzing it for them.
"They have lost thrice and Narendra Modi continues to be the Prime Minister," he noted regarding national politics. "They have lost thrice in Maharashtra as well. Do they have an answer? What is left with you?"
According to Owaisi, voters, particularly youth, now seek parties that genuinely represent their interests and foster new leadership. He highlighted development deficits in Muslim and Dalit areas, where basic amenities like regular water supply remain inadequate despite governmental claims.
Multiple Factors Behind Voting Shifts
The AIMIM chief identified several reasons for changing voter preferences:
- Development neglect in minority and marginalized communities
- Silence from secular parties on atrocities against Muslims
- Grassroots assistance during crises, as exemplified during Akola riots
- Legal concerns regarding incarceration of Muslim youth under UAPA
Owaisi shared an anecdote from Akola where youth approached him, pledging support because AIMIM alone assisted during communal violence. "There is a complete list of factors that have led to this shift," he summarized.
Local Autonomy and Future Strategy
Regarding potential alliances in Malegaon where ISLAM party emerged as single-largest group, Owaisi deferred to local leadership. "This is a question that only Mufti Ismail can answer," he said, emphasizing respect for regional decision-making.
Looking ahead, Owaisi sees the civic poll results providing crucial momentum for broader political engagement. He cited narrow losses in Assembly elections that could reverse with current voting patterns. In Dhule, the party now has twelve corporators despite previous defections.
"We have a strong ground presence and the civic polls have given us much-needed momentum," Owaisi observed. The party now prepares for Zilla Parishad elections while building on recent successes.
Quoting cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, Owaisi concluded: "After you make a century, the next day you have to start from scratch." He emphasized continuous grassroots work to consolidate and expand AIMIM's presence in Maharashtra politics.
