On home turf, tough battle lies ahead for NCP's Jitendra Awhad

While political parties are yet to announce their candidates for the coming assembly elections, it's going to be a tough battle for sitting NCP legislator Jitendra Awhad. The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) is likely to field a candidate from Mumbra-Kalwa – Awhad's home turf.

Confirming his party's desire to contest against Awhad, Ashraf Mulani, Thane district chief of MIM, said, "We are 100 per cent going to field a candidate from Mumbra and are confident of winning or getting majority of votes," says Mulani.

Mulani said Awhad, who is a minister, has grown in his stature and Mumbra needs someone who will work at the local level. He likened Mumbra's state to a patient's face with make up and who is forced to smile during visits by high-profile people.

The MIM leader hinted that they were toying with two to three names and would announce the candidate in the next few days.

According to political analyst Prakash Bal, MIM's candidate will help Shiv Sena in weakening Awhad's position. "What has happened is that Awhad's opponents both inside and outside the party have come together. So far, Awhad has won not only on the basis of Muslim votes from Mumbra but also non-Muslim votes from Kalwa," he said.

The analyst added, "So if MIM's candidate gets minority votes from Mumbra, the Sena-BJP and the alliances will try to garner Hindu votes. This will polarize the votes and benefit sena."

When contacted, Awhad said, "Contesting elections is a fundamental right and anyone can enter the fray. People know who have worked for them and they will vote accordingly."