A development in Zakir Nagar on the day AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi was expected to start his roadshow in support of the party’s candidate, Shifaur Rehman, has garnered significant public attention. Shortly before Owaisi’s arrival, an AIMIM supporter released a video alleging deliberate obstructions intended to disrupt the event, highlighting political strategies aimed at hindering the party’s activities.
The AIMIM supporter claimed: “This road was cleaned in the morning, with tractors deliberately placed to block it. Silt was spread everywhere, making the route impassable. People can see this has been done despite knowing that Asaduddin Owaisi is coming today.”
In the video, another voice suggested that the road had been cleared for silt dumping as a deliberate act of sabotage. The speaker added, “Perhaps the MLA is intimidated by Asaduddin Owaisi, and that is why these obstacles are being created. Look, they deliberately blocked the road.”
The OT was unable to verify who was responsible for the silt clearing in the area and then dumping it on the road. When asked, Shoaib Danish — whose wife is the Councillor for the Zakir Nagar ward — said he had only learned about the incident. He denied being involved, explaining that he had been busy canvassing for Congress candidate Ariba Khan in other lanes throughout the day. The question is whether the work could have been delayed, or if it was scheduled to take place on the same day by coincidence, rather than being a deliberate attempt to undermine the AIMIM rally and roadshow, said observers.
Key observations
1. Deliberate obstruction: The road was reportedly cleared and then obstructed by placing tractors and spreading silt, making it impassable for vehicles and pedestrians.
2. Political rivalry: AIMIM fan who appeared in the video speculated that local MLA might have been attempting to derail AIMIM’s outreach efforts due to fear of their growing influence.
3. Visual evidence: The video highlighted the muddy road as evidence of deliberate obstruction, raising questions about the motives behind such disruptions.
4. Supporters’ resilience: Despite these challenges, AIMIM’s roadshow was a success, with a massive crowd turning up to welcome Asaduddin Owaisi and chanting slogans such as “Long live!” and “A lion has come.”
5. Owaisi’s speech: Later in the day, Owaisi addressed a large gathering in Shaheen Bagh, rallying support for Shifaur Rehman, who is currently jailed in cases related to the Delhi riots.
Election dynamics
Shifaur Rehman, a former president of the Jamia Millia Islamia alumni group, is an AIMIM candidate from Okhla. In his absence, his wife, Noorine Fatima, is leading the campaign, appealing to residents to support her as a way of honoring her husband’s sacrifices for the community.
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Asaduddin Owaisi roadshow in Okhla today to support AIMIM candidate Shifaur Rehman
Other candidates in the fray include incumbent Okhla AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, Congress Councillor Ariba Khan from Shaheen Bagh ward, and BJP’s Manish Chaudhry. However, concerns remain about the potential division of votes among the Muslim community, which could benefit other parties.
Conclusion
The intense political atmosphere in the region is evident from such incidents. While the deliberate obstruction raises concerns about fairness in political competition, the overwhelming support for AIMIM highlights the party’s growing backing for Shifaur Rehman. As election campaigns intensify, further developments are expected in this highly contested region.
Additionally, this is a critical moment for AIMIM, as it enters the Delhi Assembly elections for the first time in Okhla and Mustafabad, both Muslim-dominated areas. Observers noted that while the massive turnout at Asaduddin Owaisi’s rally is impressive, it is too early to draw conclusions. Much groundwork is needed to convert this large crowd into actual votes. Critics pointed out a similar large turnout at Owaisi’s rally in Okhla during the MCD elections years ago, where both AIMIM candidates, Arif Saifi and Kausar Imam (also known as Laddan), lost the election in Shaheen Bagh and Zakir Nagar wards respectively.
