After days of anticipation, the moment finally arrived at 9 pm on Monday when the Congress released its third list of candidates for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. Okhla residents, who had been eagerly waiting since the election date was announced, heaved a collective sigh of relief as Ariba Khan was declared the Congress candidate from this key constituency.
Even before the official announcement, celebrations were in full swing at the Kalindi Kunj residence of Asif Mohammad Khan, Ariba’s father. Journalists from national media were seen gathered outside, awaiting confirmation of the list. The announcement brought a flurry of activity as reporters rushed to interview Ariba, while a steady stream of well-wishers arrived to congratulate her and her family.
Ariba Khan, a graduate of Jamia Millia Islamia and Amity University, is the sitting Councillor from the Abul Fazal Enclave ward, where she won a closely contested election against AAP’s Wajid Khan. She also did a culinary course. Calm and composed, she fielded questions from journalists and YouTubers with confidence, reflecting both her political lineage and personal determination.
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Speaking with the OT, Ariba began by expressing gratitude to the people of Okhla and the Congress party. “This area has been deprived of basic facilities for a decade,” she said with conviction. “My agenda is clear — development for the people. That’s why I stood for the Councillor elections, and the people believed in me,” she said.
Ariba’s political journey has been challenging but driven by unwavering dedication. As a Councillor, she successfully brought her ward under the Congress banner, gaining the trust of both her constituents and the party leadership. She thanked Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and others, for giving her the opportunity to contest the Assembly elections. “Their ideology resonates with mine: fighting for people’s rights and ensuring their development,” she remarked.
Addressing her competition, Ariba acknowledged the strength of her two main rivals. She spoke respectfully of Shifa-ur-Rahman from AIMIM, calling him a brotherly figure, but didn’t hesitate to question AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi’s motives. “Where was Owaisi during the Shaheen Bagh protests? During the Jamia unrest? Why didn’t he support Shifa Bhai’s family when he was jailed? Sympathy without action is hollow,” she said emphatically.
On BJP’s candidate, Manish Chaudhary, Ariba was equally direct. “How can he claim to represent Muslim areas when he hasn’t been seen in places like Ghaffar Manzil and Johri Farm for the past two years?” she asked pointedly.
Turning to the Congress-AAP alliance at the national level, Ariba clarified her stance. “We stand with the people first. If any party, even an ally, acts against our people’s interests, we will call them out.” She criticised AAP’s governance, questioning Kejriwal’s leadership and pointing to the removal of 30 sitting MLAs as a sign of corruption and inefficiency.
Despite the challenges of representing an unauthorised ward, Ariba highlighted her achievements over the past two years. “Congress’s commitment to development speaks for itself. We’ve worked tirelessly, and the people’s trust reflects that,” she asserted.
Concluding on a poignant note, Ariba evoked memories of her father, a former Councillor and MLA. “I grew up witnessing his dedication. This isn’t just about a political legacy; it’s about continuing his commitment to the people. I will work even harder to bring development and dignity to our constituency.”
With the Congress ticket in hand, Ariba is gearing up for a fierce battle against Amanatullah Khan, the incumbent AAP MLA who defeated her father in 2015. Amanatullah first won the Okhla seat that year with 104,271 votes, leaving Asif Mohammad Khan far behind with 20,135 votes. Amanatullah further solidified his position in 2020, securing 130,367 votes despite anti-incumbency, while the Congress candidate, Parvez Hashmi, managed only 5,123 votes.
The upcoming election promises to be a high-stakes contest. For Ariba, it’s not just a fight for the seat — it’s a chance to reclaim her family’s political legacy in Okhla and restore Congress’s position in this pivotal constituency.
