The political landscape of Malegaon shifted dramatically in the recent municipal corporation elections. A new party made a powerful debut, challenging established players and rewriting local equations.
ISLAM Party Emerges as Top Contender
In its very first electoral battle for the Malegaon Municipal Corporation, the Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra, or ISLAM, secured a significant victory. The party, founded by former NCP legislator Asif Shaikh, captured thirty-five seats. This impressive performance effectively ended the long-standing domination of the Congress party in the city's civic body.
No Clear Majority in 84-Seat House
Despite its strong showing, ISLAM fell short of achieving a clear majority. The party needed forty-three seats in the eighty-four-member corporation to govern independently. To bolster its position, ISLAM had entered into an alliance with the Samajwadi Party before the polls. This ally managed to win five seats, bringing the combined tally closer to the halfway mark but still leaving them reliant on other groups for support.
AIMIM Makes Major Gains
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, commonly known as AIMIM, emerged as the second-largest party in the corporation. It dramatically increased its presence, winning twenty-one seats. This marks a substantial jump from the mere seven seats it held in the previous term, signaling a growing influence in the Muslim-dominated powerloom town.
Other Parties' Performance
The Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, also improved its position. It secured eighteen seats, which is six more than it had in the last council. The Congress party suffered a severe setback, winning only three seats. Two of these three seats went to the party's city unit president, Ejaj Beg, and his wife. The Bharatiya Janata Party saw its count dwindle to just two seats. The Samajwadi Party, as mentioned, won five seats as part of its pact with ISLAM.
These results highlight a significant political realignment in Malegaon. Voters have clearly expressed a desire for change, propelling new and regional parties to the forefront while diminishing the hold of national parties in this important civic arena.
