A day when the Congress announced its candidate for the Okhla seat, Asif Md Khan expressed happiness that the party had placed its faith in his daughter, Ariba Khan, currently the sitting Councillor of Abul Fazal Enclave. Known for his outspoken nature, Asif Md Khan didn’t hold back when asked about the changing political landscape in Okhla following his daughter’s candidacy.
Addressing reporters and YouTubers, Asif Md Khan launched a pointed critique at AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi.
“Asaduddin Owaisi is a Barrister and a wealthy man. He runs a political party and is also a Member of Parliament. If he truly sympathises with the community and cares about these children (those accused in the Delhi riot cases and languishing in jail for years), he should focus on providing them with legal aid rather than using them for political purposes. We would wholeheartedly welcome such support,” he said.
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In a rare moment of measured speech, Asif Md Khan chose his words carefully during the interaction. On the Congress Party’s delayed announcement of its candidate for Okhla, he said: “Yes, the decision was delayed, which created some confusion. People were unsure about when the announcement would happen and who the candidate would be. Local media complicated the situation, leaving the public in doubt. However, I was always 100 per cent confident that Ariba would get the ticket. Even when asked unofficially, I told everyone that the ticket would go to Ariba.”
When asked about Shifaur Rehman’s candidacy and its potential impact, Asif Md Khan clarified: “Let me make one thing clear. Ariba has visited Shifaur Rehman’s house before — not for the first time. She went as a Councillor, and I stayed outside because his wife observes purdah. We also attended his sister’s wedding. He is like a younger brother to us, and we are fully sympathetic to him and his family. But what he needs most is legal aid, not to be used as a political pawn.” Asaduddin Owaisi’s party has fielded him from Okhla.
Khan emphasised that the Congress is actively supporting Shifaur Rehman with legal assistance. “The Congress is the only party that stood for Shaheen Bagh and Jamia during the CAA protests. Our leaders faced baton charges and visited those injured at Holy Family Hospital. Today, with over 400 Muslim youths across India imprisoned for participating in protests, it is every political organisations’ responsibility to provide them with legal aid. The Congress has done this. Salman Khurshid, a senior Congress leader, represents Shifaur Rehman in court free of charge. Similarly, former Congress leader Kapil Sibal has represented other activists like Umar Khalid.”
Khan concluded by reiterating his stance: “While Shifaur Rehman has every right to contest elections, his immediate need is for legal aid, not to be manipulated for political gains. We will always support him and his family in this regard.”
It will be interesting to see whether Ariba Khan can avenge her father’s 2015 defeat at the hands of incumbent Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan, who won by a significant margin, diminishing her father’s influence in Okhla politics. With over 55 per cent of Okhla’s population being Muslim, the political dynamics have historically favoured Muslim candidates.
Apart from Amanatullah Khan, who is aiming for a hat-trick this time, other key contenders include Manish Chaudhry, a former Congress member who, along with his wife Nitu Chaudhry — a three-term Councillor from Sarita Vihar — joined the BJP years ago. Due to his father being an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia, Manish’s influence in Okhla transcends religious boundaries. AIMIM has also fielded Shifaur Rahman as its candidate.
