After it surprised political observers in 2012 by wresting 11 seats in the Nanded civic elections, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) is set to test its strength in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
The Andhra Pradesh-based party hopes to makes in roads in the State as it has fielded candidates in 24 seats, including 14 in Mumbai, mostly from Muslim and Dalit populated pockets.
As the State heads for a five-way contest between the major parties, political pundits give the MIM, which lacks any base in Maharashtra, little chance of making any impact.
However, the MIM could prove a thorn in the sight of the Congress and the NCP. Twelve out of the 14 seats chosen by the MIM in Mumbai are currently with either the Congress or NCP.
The seats have substantial percentage of Muslims, leading the Congress and the NCP of accusing the MIM of being an agent of the BJP that is out to divide the “secular” vote. The pitch of MIM leaders Hyderabad MP Assauddin Owaisi and MLA Akbarruddin Owaisi in their campaign, in turn, has been to accuse the Congress and NCP of playing communal politics under the garb of secularism.
The MIM list of candidates features Shahid Rafi, son of legendary singer Mohammmed Rafi. He is contesting from Mumbadevi and Bandra (East). Former Maharashtra Transport Minister and a renowned Dalit Leader Gangadhar Gade is the party’s candidate in Aurangabad East while former NDTV special correspondent Imtiyaz Jaleel is fighting from Aurangabad Central. In Mumbai, some of the seats where the MIM could eat into the Congress’ Muslim vote share are Byculla, Versova, Shivaji Nagar, Bandra East and West, Kurla, Mumbra and Bhiwandi.
The party’s claim is that it is fighting to win and not benefit any party. “If we would just want to make an impact, we would have contested all 288 seats. We have chosen these particular seats as we feel we can win with the support of Muslims and Dalits,” said Mr. Jaleel. Unless the Congress and NCP do not resort to using their machinery and money power, Mr. Jaleel is confident that his party can win 8-10 seats. Observers, however, give the party much less.
