As the BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress and other political parties battle it out in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2017, Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is also likely to have a strong hold in some of the areas of the Mumbai.
AIMIM, who is contesting its first civic polls, have fielded 59 candidates and it being reported that it has strong chances of winning at least 6-8 seats especially from the south Mumbai areas including Mumbadevi and Byculla. Reports suggest that AIMIM could even get Grant Road as theirs is the only Muslim candidate in the Muslim dominated area. They are also eyeing for Govandi and Dharavi.
Even though Samajwadi Party and Congress have fielded a number of Muslim candidates, the youth may get attracted towards AIMIM since they have been making efforts to garner their votes in the area. SP leader Abu Azmi had himself accepted that AIMIM’s entry in the elections will make some difference in the votes asserting that AIMIM “uses emotional speeches” to gain votes.
In their manifesto, AIMIM has promised to provide purified drinking water and cheap meals for poor. It has also promised to provide employment opportunities to the youth and housing facilities for the weaker sections of the society.
Voting in elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other 9 civic bodies in several cities of Maharashtra began on February 21. In this election, about 2,275 candidates, which include 1,190 males, 1,084 females and one transgender, are in the fray for the 227 seats. 13 political parties including Shiv Sena, MNS, NCP, Congress and BJP among others will contest in this civic body polls. The results of the BMC Elections 2017 will be announced on 23rd February.
