In a “big boost” to AIMIM campaign in Okhla, AAP rebel Mahmood Ahmed joined Asaduddin Owaisi’s party a few minutes ago. Delhi AIMIM president Shoaib Jamiee told the media that Mahmood has officially joined the AIMIM.
By joining AIMIM today at a massive gathering attended by the party’s top leaders, Mahmood, who had once challenged Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan’s authority by vying for the party ticket from Okhla in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections 2025, has ended weeks of speculation.
After AAP announced Amanatullah Khan as its MLA candidate from Okhla for the third consecutive term, Mahmood became the first local leader to resign from the party. During a press conference, he openly criticised AAP convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, effectively severing all ties with the party.
Speculation soon arose that Mahmood might join AIMIM and contest as its candidate from Okhla. However, as days passed without any confirmation, many were left uncertain about his political future. The uncertainty ended today when Mahmood officially joined AIMIM. The confusion was further resolved when AIMIM announced Shifaur Rehman as its candidate from Okhla.
Mahmood got a warm welcome at the stage with top leaders garlanding him. Shoaib said the party is to give responsibility to him in the ongoing election. He said the joining of Mahmood in the party amid the poll campaign will boost party’s prospects in Delhi Assembly elections.
The development has come just days after another AAP rebel leader Engineer Jabir joining the party at a press meet held in Abul Fazal Enclave. Both Jabir and Mahmood were close aides of Amanatullah Khan. But they fell apart from him after they failed to get ticket from the AAP during MCD elections and this time Assembly elections. In 2017 Mahmood had contested in MCD election but had lost with a wafer thin margin against Congress leader Shoaib Danish.
In 2017, when the award was reserved for women, Mahmood was also seeking a ticket. When his request was denied as another AAP leader Ariz Khan’s wife got the ticket, he called a press conference at his office in Batla House to announce his resignation. However, a few days later, he changed his mind and chose to stay with the party.
Over time, his relationship with Amanatullah soured, and they gradually drifted apart. Despite remaining in the party, Mahmood never hesitated to criticise the MLA, even without naming him.
Political observers have noted that it will be interesting to see whether Mahmood’s shift in loyalty from AAP to AIMIM will help him gain support from Shifaur Rehman’s followers.
As the election date of February 5 approaches, the poll campaign in Okhla is reaching its peak. Political parties, including BJP, AAP, Congress, AIMIM, and others, are all doing their best to win the support of voters. Amanatullah is facing anti-incumbency, with the opposition criticising him for failing to develop Okhla over the last 10 years. He is up against Shifaur Rehman, who is currently in jail in connection with the Delhi riots case, as well as Congress Ariba Khan and BJP’s Manish Chaudhry. Other political parties have also fielded their candidates.
