Former Okhla Congress MLA Asif Mohammad Khan has grabbed headlines once again for his comment against Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan. The remarks, captured in a viral video, show Asif referring to Amanatullah as a “desi chicken” at a Congress rally in Seelampur a day ago is talk of the town. Asif posted the video on his timeline.
Senior Congress leaders, including the State president and former MP Sandeep Dikshit, were present at the event, where Asif’s “distasteful” comment was met with applause from the crowd and those on stage. Also, Asif calls Mateen “boiler” chicken. Later on Mateen responds (as you scroll down you read his response) to remark by Asif to one YouTuber.
Asif insults Mateen at Congress rally
In the same rally, Asif also targeted former Congress leader Chaudhary Mateen Ahmed, who recently joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Asif insulted Mateen by calling him a “boiler chicken”. Mateen, a veteran leader from Northeast Delhi, is seen as a key figure for AAP’s prospects in Muslim-dominated wards, where the party performed poorly in the MCD elections two years ago.
Five-time Congress MLA Mateen Ahmed was not alone in joining AAP. His son, Chaudhry Zubair Ahmad, and his wife, Shagufta Choudhry, a Congress Councillor, also joined the party ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections next year.
“This is to inform all of you that I am hereby resigning from the post of District president, Babarpur Congress Committee along with the Primary Membership of the Congress Party due to some personal reasons. I thank the party leadership for the opportunity and responsibility,” Zubair’s resignation letter read.
A Muslim-dominated Seelampur constituency was represented by Mateen as an MLA from 1993 to 2015. After him and his family members joining the AAP, the buzz is that chances of his son, Chaudhary Zubair Ahmad, getting a ticket from Kejriwal’s party to contest from Seelampur, are high.
In 2015 AAP won the seat with Mohammad Ishraq sailing through. And the feat was repeated in 2020 again by Abdul Rehman.
On the other hand Mateen have contested from Seelampur several times under various parties, including Janata Dal, as an Independent, and later with Congress. He won each of these elections.
Mateen’s AAP entry boosts party’s prospects
The importance of Mateen joining the AAP can be established from the fact that former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal personally attended the joining-in event that too at Mateen’s house.
“He is a prominent figure in Delhi politics. Like AAP, which is known for its commitment to the people, Chaudhary Mateen Ahmed is renowned in his area for always being there for his constituents, through good times and bad,” Kejriwal said.
After joining AAP, he said: “I thank Arvind Kejriwal for making me a part of the AAP family. My sole objective now is to strengthen the party and serve the people wholeheartedly.”
Mateen responds to Asif’s remark
When asked by a YouTuber to comment on Asif’s viral remark about him, Mateen, a former Vice-Chairperson of the Delhi Jal Board and Chairperson of the Delhi Waqf Board, tried to avoid responding directly. However, he said it would not be appropriate for him to comment on Asif’s remarks. The AAP leader said Asif had been to jail multiple times and suggested that only weak individuals resort to such “demeaning” comments.
Delhi 2024 Elections: Asif, other Congress leaders vie for Okhla ticket
As the 2024 Delhi elections draw closer, political campaigns are intensifying. Asif is vying for the Congress ticket to contest against Amanatullah for the Okhla Assembly seat.
A decade ago, Amanatullah defeated Asif, who was the MLA for Congress. Okhla was a Congress stronghold before AAP’s rise, with leaders like Parvez Hashmi and Asif previously holding the seat.
Amanatullah faces tough challenge amid anti-incumbency
With Amanatullah Khan facing rising anti-incumbency sentiment, the upcoming elections in Okhla will be closely watched. It remains to be seen whether he can secure a third consecutive term as Okhla MLA.
Growing competition in Okhla Congress for ticket
Several young Congress leaders are also competing for the Okhla ticket, including Jamia Millia Islamia alumni Engineer Gentle Hydatullah and Syed Azeem Arshi. The fierce competition among potential candidates will make the Okhla seat a key battleground in the upcoming elections.
