AIMIM seeks to make an impact in Maharashtra politics

The All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), led by Owaisi brothers Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, will be fielding candidates in the state assembly polls slated for October. This will be the first time that the party will be contesting Maharashtra assembly polls. They are not strangers to Maharashtra political scene, however.

Who are these people?
AIMIM is a Hyderabad-based party of mainly Muslims. It has its roots in the Razakar movement, which supported Nizam of Hyderabad, who had vehemently opposed his kingdom joining the Indian republic.

Will this be its first political entry into the state?
Not really. The party burst on to Maharashtra political scene in 2012, netting 11 seats in Nanded civic polls. Nanded in Marathwada is the stronghold of former CM Ashok Chavan, who is one of the two Congress nominees from state to have made it to LS in last polls. AIMIM contested here in alliance with Dalit-dominated Samvidhan Party, which won two seats.

Why does it want to enter state assembly?
The party feels Muslims are getting a raw deal in the state. Congress and NCP, the two parties which Muslims have been traditionally supporting, have not done anything for the common Muslims, it feels.

So, it's bad news for Cong-NCP?
It's. The ruling combine will lose some of its traditional votes. "Majlis is here to work for the people. It's not here to be used. We are not interested in those who want to promote personal interests," said Ahmed bin Abdullah Balala, Malakpeth (Hyderabad) MLA, indicating that those rejected by Congress and NCP may not get AIMIM nomination.

What will be its campaign plank?
It is to campaign on the issue of Muslim youths being implicated in terror-related charges. "It has been over 65 years since Independence, yet Muslims are being looked at with suspicion. Innocent Muslims are being implicated in false cases to maintain (a reign of) terror. This will be our main poll plank," said Balala. He also stressed the need to "de-communalise" police.
"Innocent people are being framed," said AIMIM youth leader Yasar Arafat, who is the first cousin of the Owaisis. He said it's Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi had been raising issues related to Muslims, Dalits and minorities in Parliament.

Is there some truth in the allegation?
Can't say. But many Muslims whom Maharashtra police have accused of involvement in terrorism, have later been let off. They include (alleged Al Qaida operative) Mohammad Afroz and (accused in 26/11 terror attacks) Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Shaikh.
Youth leader Arafat also said Akbaruddin had put pressure on the then Andhra Pradesh chief minister, N Kiran Kumar Reddy, to compensate 70 Muslims who had falsely been implicated in the 2007 Mecca Masjid blasts case.

In how many seats will AIMIM contest?
Around 16 Muslim-dominated constituencies in Mumbai, apart from minority pockets like Mumbra and Bhiwandi. They are also looking at regions like Marathwada and North Maharashtra.

Will it go it alone?
It's exploring tie-ups with various fronts including Samvidhan Morcha led by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson Anandraj Ambedkar. A final decision would be taken by Asaduddin Owaisi, said Balala.

Have candidates been fixed?
No. Party leaders like Balala and Arafat, who are exploring possibilities in Maharashtra, are meeting wannabe candidates in Mumbai. Akbaruddin Owaisi is also scheduled to address a public meeting at Nagpada junction on Friday evening.