Congress Young Turks lose to Old Guards in Okhla

Congress Young Turks lose in fight for supremacy in Okhla

Congress Young Turks appears to face a bleak future in Okhla viz-a-viz grabbing political limelight.

With former Okhla Congress MLA Asif Md Khan succeeding in getting ticket for his daughter Ariba Khan from Abul Fazal Enclave and she winning the MCD poll 2022, chance of rise of three Young Turks, Advocate Aarfa Khanam, Parvez Alam Khan and Mohd Hidatalluah Gentle appears uncertain now for the time being, according to Okhla watchers.

Initially there was resentment among the supporters of three Young Turks but after the win it has waned, said observers, adding that all three were conspicuously absent from the campaigning of Ariba for reasons best known to them.

Of all three Aarfa rise to popularity was sudden. Her act during Shaheen Bagh demolition catapulted her to a sort of stardom status in Okhla and she was hopeful of getting a ticket from Abul Fazal Enclave ward. Parvez, who had unsuccessfully contested last MCD election against Wajid Khan, was also hopeful due to his connection with top Delhi leader as he spent a lot of time in party affairs at Delhi level, said observers. However, both failed to get ticket.

Besides, Gentle’s also rose after he joined the Congress after quitting AAP for green pastures, said Okhla watchers, adding that he too was hopeful of getting ticket. In the fight among Old Guards and the Young Turks, the Old Guards won.

The Congress win in Muslim-dominated Okhla has emboldened Asif Md Khan, Parvez Hashmi and Shoaib Danish (all Old Guards) who are now eyeing MLA ticket from the party to unseat AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, said the observer.