OT analysis: Up against anti-incumbency, will Councillor Wajid’s wife retain seat for him?

Up against anti-incumbency, will Councillor Wajid’s wife retain seat for him?

After several wards being reserved for women, the equation in the MCD elections 2022 has drastically changed and it has given boost to those Councillors who were up against anti-incumbency in some wards.

And with parties launching new faces, chances are high that voters will forget sitting Councillors, said political observers. In Okhla too after two wards, Abul Fazal Enclave and Zakir Nagar, being reserved for women, there are talks whether the move will benefit Councillor Wajid Khan and Shoaib Danish both battling anti-incumbency.

Municipal corporation elections are to be held this April.

If Danish is yet to confirm whether he will shift to neighbouring ward in Okhla to try his luck for the fourth time or introduce his wife or daughter from his ward, Abul Fazal Enclave Councillor Khan appears to have made up his mind as his wife, Farha Wajid Khan, photo has appeared in several posts put on walls of the locality, giving a crystal clear message that now he will be seeking ticket for his wife.

Though it is too early to jump to any conclusion, many Okhla political observers strongly feel that a new face that, too, a woman could help Wajid soften his opponents in the locality. However, the big question is: Will Councillor Khan beat anti-incumbency with help from his wife in AFE ward?

Political observers are divided over it with some saying that all will depend on the other parities. But yes this has made things a bit easy for Khan as his wife would be making a debut and can reach residents to vote her for bringing change, said observers. But most of them are keeping their fingers crossed as they said it is too early jump to any conclusion.

(This is part of the OT’s exclusive analysis of the upcoming corporation elections in Delhi)