Two leaders are emerging as the top contenders for the Congress ticket from Okhla, with the Delhi Assembly election in 2025 just a few months away.
While several Congress figures are vying for the nomination, sources indicate that two names are currently leading the race. On one side, there’s the G9 group, a collective of young leaders, and on the other, the established political families of former Congress MLA Asif Mohammad Khan and Pervez Hashmi.
According to one party insider — who is also in the race — the competition seems to be between the two families.
The insider revealed that, at present, two individuals are at the forefront: Areeba Khan, daughter of Asif Mohammad Khan, and Ishrat Jahan, daughter-in-law of Pervez Hashmi.
However, they cautioned that nothing has been finalized yet, and the situation could change at the last moment, as the final decision rests with the party’s high command.
Areeba Khan, who is currently a sitting Councillor, gained prominence after winning the MCD elections by defeating AAP’s Wajid Khan. Since then, her profile has risen significantly. Sources suggest that Asif Mohammad Khan has taken a step back and is now actively lobbying for his daughter’s candidacy. Asif Mohammad Khan has lost one Assembly election to Amanatullah Khan.
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With AAP already announcing its candidate and starting early, many Congress supporters feel the party should follow suit.
They believe an early announcement would allow them to begin campaigning and engage with voters ahead of the election. AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, who is seeking a third consecutive term, has already kicked off his campaign in the area. While his popularity has waned —residents citing a lack of development during his ten-year tenure — he has begun personal outreach to try to win over voters.
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Many opposition leaders are still jockeying for the Congress or AIMIM ticket, and some local residents feel it’s crucial for these parties to announce their candidates soon. They believe that only a strong contender can effectively challenge Amanatullah Khan’s hold on Okhla. The BJP is another party which has still now announced the list of its candidates.
On December 21, several members of the G9 group gathered at the AICC headquarters to persuade the high command to give them a chance, according to one source. As the election buzz grows, many young Congress leaders have come together to oppose the candidacies of Asif Mohammad Khan and Pervez Hashmi for another term. Their argument is that Congress should prioritise young candidates rather than sticking with established political families.
Some members of the G9 group are optimistic about their chances of securing the ticket.
Meanwhile, a list of potential Congress candidates surfaced on social media, but it was quickly dismissed as fake. As the election approaches, leaders are intensifying their efforts to secure the Congress nomination, especially since local sentiment seems to be shifting in favour of the party. In the recent MCD elections, AAP struggled, with Congress winning two seats — one in Zakir Nagar and the other in Abul Fazal Enclave, sources said.
Congress holds an advantage this time, but everything depends on who ultimately gets the ticket, said a local resident.
