Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and MP, is set to visit Okhla today to campaign for the party’s candidate, Ariba Khan. This has sparked intense debate about whether his rally will boost Ariba’s chances in the constituency, much like the impact Asaduddin Owaisi’s rallies have had on reshaping the political equation.
Former Okhla MLA Asif Md Khan confirmed that Rahul Gandhi will address Congress supporters at TTI today at 6 pm. Ariba Khan and other Congress leaders will share the stage with him. Notably, this will be Rahul Gandhi’s first rally in any constituency as the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 campaign officially kicks off, said Asif.
The election results will be declared on February 8, following the counting on February 5.
Amanatullah Khan eyes a hat-trick
Amanatullah Khan, the incumbent MLA of Okhla, is seeking a third consecutive term on an AAP ticket. Known for his decisive victories in the last two elections, Khan’s camp remains confident despite facing anti-incumbency challenges. In 2005, Khan regained power by defeating the Congress MLA Asif Khan, ending the Congress party’s longstanding dominance in Okhla. Over the past decade, the constituency has been firmly in AAP’s control.
However, the 202 MCD polls in Muslim-dominated wards showed a shift, as Congress candidates Ariba and Nazia Danish (wife of Shoaib Danish) secured victories. This raises the question: Can Amanatullah Khan successfully convince the Muslim electorate to support him once again?
Ariba Khan’s political journey
Ariba Khan, the current Councillor from the Shaheen Bagh ward, won her seat by defeating AAP’s Wajid Khan. An alumna of Amity University and Jamia Millia Islamia, Ariba hails from a political family. Her father, Asif Mohammad Khan, is a former MLA of Okhla, while her uncle, Arif Mohammad Khan, is a BJP leader and the current Governor of Bihar.
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Ariba is contesting against BJP’s Manish Chaudhry, whose wife, Nitu Chaudhry, is a three-time Councillor from Sarita Vihar. The Chaudhry family enjoys broad appeal across religious communities, having previously been affiliated with Congress before joining the BJP. Shifaur Rehman and Amanatullah are two other candidates in the fray.
Shifaur Rehman’s campaign led by AIMIM, Asaduddin
Former Jamia alumni group president Shifaur Rehman is contesting from Okhla on an AIMIM ticket, despite being jailed in the Delhi riots case. In his absence, his wife Noorine Fatima has taken charge of the campaign. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has been heavily involved, conducting rallies and roadshows to bolster support for Rehman.
Political observers note that Asaduddin’s recent roadshow in Zakir Nagar and rally in Shaheen Bagh have significantly energised AIMIM’s campaign, which was previously losing momentum. AIMIM is contesting two Muslim-dominated seats in Delhi: Okhla and Mustafabad. Both of its candidates are accused in the Delhi riots cases. Jailed former AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain is AIMIM’s candidate from Mustafabad.
Asaduddin Owaisi’s growing influence in Okhla
To maintain momentum, Asaduddin Owaisi has been spending considerable time in Okhla, engaging with residents through roadshows, rallies, and one-on-one interactions. AIMIM’s campaign strategy, including a significant advertising blitz, appears to frame the contest as Amanatullah Khan versus Owaisi himself — a narrative that Amanatullah has addressed in his speeches.
Tensions between supporters of Amanatullah and Asaduddin have escalated, with public rallies featuring pointed jabs. For instance, AIMIM MLA Majid Hassan referred to Amanatullah as the “Shakti Kapoor” of Okhla during a rally.
Can Rahul Gandhi change the dynamics?
Rahul Gandhi’s visit raises questions about whether it will help Asif Md Khan and his daughter Ariba Khan regain political traction. Political observers suggest the Congress needs this rally to reinvigorate its campaign and secure a top-two position in Okhla, currently dominated by AAP and AIMIM in Muslim-dominated wards of Shaheen Bagh, Zakir Nagar-Batla House, Haji Colony, Johri Farm and Okhla Vihar.
As the campaign heats up, all eyes are on today’s rally to see if it shifts the balance in this highly competitive constituency.
