The 2025 Delhi Assembly elections delivered unexpected twists, especially in the Muslim-majority constituencies of Okhla and Mustafabad. Here, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) made significant inroads, surprising many as they managed to disrupt traditional voting patterns. Despite being tangled in legal troubles, Shifa Ur Rehman Khan and Tahir Hussain, both accused in the 2020 Delhi riots and currently behind bars in Tihar Jail, succeeded in securing third place in their respective constituencies.
Unexpected Outcomes in the Okhla and Mustafabad
In the Okhla constituency, the electoral battle was intense. Aam Aadmi Party's Amanatullah Khan emerged victorious with 88,943 votes, maintaining a robust margin against BJP's Manish Chaudhary, who secured 65,304 votes. However, it was Shifa Ur Rehman Khan's campaign that caught attention. Even from jail, he garnered 39,558 votes, claiming third place, ahead of Congress’s Ariba Khan who only managed to secure 12,739 votes, a clear indicator of AIMIM's growing influence.
Meanwhile, in Mustafabad, BJP celebrated a win with candidate Mohan Singh Bisht surpassing AAP's Adeel Ahmad Khan with a margin of 17,578 votes. Tahir Hussain, another jailed candidate from AIMIM, secured 33,474 votes, edging past Congress’s Ali Mehdi, who received 11,763 votes. This performance signifies a strategic maneuver by AIMIM as their candidates campaigned under interim bail, seizing the opportunity to engage with the electorate directly, with the support of party leader Asaduddin Owaisi.
Impact on AAP and BJP's Victory
The foray of AIMIM into these constituencies did more than just alter vote shares; it evidenced a shift in political dynamics. Historically, Okhla and Mustafabad have been bastions for AAP, but the reduced margins in these constituencies due to the AIMIM presence present a challenge for the party's future strategies.
On a broader scale, the BJP triumphed in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections by clinching 44 out of 70 seats, marking a notable majority. The efforts of the AIMIM in altering voter preferences in specific areas highlight how the political landscape in Delhi is becoming increasingly multifaceted. This development could compel AAP and Congress to reassess their approaches in regions where they have faced erosion in support.
The 2025 Delhi Assembly elections underscore not just the traditional power struggles but inject fresh narratives into the political arena. AIMIM's strategic presence in key constituencies suggests a rising influence that could reshape political alignments in upcoming elections.