Okhla is abuzz with poll fever, as accusations and counter-accusations dominate the political discourse. With AIMIM’s first-ever entry into the Okhla electoral race, the political atmosphere has intensified. Both Congress and AAP accuse AIMIM of splitting Muslim votes, allegedly to benefit the BJP directly.
Caught in the crossfire between incumbent MLA Amanatullah Khan and former MLA Asif Md Khan, Shoaib Jamai, the newly appointed Delhi State President of AIMIM, took aim at Asif’s daughter, Ariba Khan, who Congress has nominated to contest from Okhla. She is sitting Congress Councillor from Abul Fazal Enclave, the daughter of former MLA Asif Mohammad Khan and the niece of Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.
The OT tried to reach Asif Md Khan for his comment but there was no response. Once his response comes it will be added in the story.
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Discussing Okhla’s political dynamics, Shoaib Jamai expressed confidence in the strong campaign of AIMIM’s candidate, Shifaur Rahman, while criticising Congress’s decision to replace Ishrat Jahan with Ariba Khan.
He argued that Ishrat’s leadership during the anti-NRC protests established her as a capable Muslim leader, and Congress’s preference for Ariba signals a shift to appease Hindutva voters.
Jamai also questioned Ariba’s credibility, pointing to her family ties with Arif Mohammad Khan, a senior BJP leader and the Governor of Bihar. He alleged that Ariba’s nomination resulted from lobbying by Arif, highlighting an alleged nexus between BJP and Congress.
In a late-night interview at his Okhla residence, Jamai described Shifaur Rahman as a beacon of hope for Okhla. He praised Rahman’s focus on justice and development, positioning him as a fresh alternative for the constituency.
Jamai urged Ariba Khan to step aside in support of Rahman if she genuinely believed in his vision, framing this as a chance to unify against BJP and RSS ideologies. He dismissed Congress as a waning political force in Okhla, asserting that the real contest lies between AIMIM, BJP, and Amanatullah Khan.
Jamai further claimed to have evidence of Asif Md Khan’s attempts to secure an AIMIM ticket and his alleged dealings with the BJP but chose not to disclose details.
With Shifaur Rahman and Amanatullah Khan both hailing from Satla, and Ariba commanding a significant share of Western Uttar Pradesh votes, a cold war has erupted over securing this vote bank to win the election.
However, political analysts predict that the 2025 Delhi Election will not be an easy win for any candidate, as BJP has fielded Manish Chaudhry, a formidable and widely accepted candidate whose appeal transcends religious lines.
He reiterated AIMIM’s mission to uplift marginalised communities, particularly Muslims, through robust political representation. The party’s goal, he stated, is to address systemic injustices and promote development in neglected areas.
Positioning AIMIM as the “voice of the oppressed,” Jamai underscored the party’s commitment to justice, strong leadership, and meaningful electoral participation.
As AIMIM’s campaign gains momentum in Mustafabad and Okhla, it presents itself as a challenger to traditional political players, focusing on justice, development, and genuine representation.
On the other hand, Amanatullah Khan is trying his luck for the third consecutive time. In 2015, he defeated Asif Md Khan, and since then, he has secured victory in every Assembly election by a significant margin. Before the rise of AAP and Amanatullah, Okhla was considered an unassailable stronghold of Congress. It remains to be seen whether Congress can now attract voters beyond its traditional Muslim base in this ward.
