AIMIM can contest Mumbai civic polls now

The Maharashtra State Election Commission on Monday restored the registration of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) after revoking it a month ago on account of non-submission of the mandatory income tax and funds details, despite reminders.

The commission's order primarily means that the party can contest civic polls anywhere in the state. The move has relaxed the Asaduddin Owaisi-led organisation that was looking forward to Mumbai's civic elections early next year. The party has won two seats in the 2014 Assembly polls.

The commission had barred the Hyderabad-based party and 190 other parties from contesting the state civic polls on July 12. Only MIM has addressed the deficiency and got the registration back till now.

The party had accepted the lapses in filing the requisite documents and had requested the commission to "condone lapses", besides submitting the requisite documents along with the penalty of Rsone lakh.

MIM legislator Warris Pathan said, "We have full faith in the state election commission. Now we will contest Mumbai and other civic polls with full strength, consolidating voters from Muslim, Dalit and other underprivileged communities." Pathan refused to share the party's funds details.