Ex-Congress MLA Shaikh Asif launches party called ISLAM, aims to shake up polls in Malegaon Central

“Since the BJP came to power, there has been a constant attack on Islam through various statements. My vision for this new party is to ensure that, once we are in power, we will strive to enact a law that punishes those who insult religion,” Asif stated as he also announced his candidacy for the Malegaon Central seat.

Asif is the son of the late Shaikh Rasheed, who had represented Malegaon Central twice before passing away earlier this year. Having served as mayor of Malegaon, Asif was elected as an MLA in 2014 on a Congress ticket. However, in 2022, he and his father left the party owing to disagreements with its state leadership. He then joined the undivided Nationalist Congress Party. After the NCP split, Asif was seen gravitating towards Ajit Pawar’s faction but has ultimately chosen to contest Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024 under his own political banner.

Asif’s decision to form a new political front will transform the traditionally bipolar Malegaon Central elections into a multipolar contest. The constituency is represented by the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s (AIMIM) Mufti Ismail, who defeated Asif in the 2019 elections by nearly 40,000 votes. Mufti Ismail, a cleric-turned-politician, gained prominence after the 2006 Malegaon blasts and has become a significant political force by tapping into local Muslim sentiments by launching a people’s front called Kaumi Mahaz. He won the 2009 elections on a Jan Surajya Shakti ticket but later joined the NCP, contesting unsuccessfully in 2014 before winning his seat for the AIMIM in 2019.

The Samajwadi Party is also eyeing Malegaon Central, with party chief Akhilesh Yadav visiting the city last week to announce the nomination of Shan-E-Hind, daughter of the late five-time MLA and socialist leader Nihal Ahmed. However, it remains unclear whether the Congress is prepared to relinquish the seat, as Malegaon Congress president Ejaz Baig is seen as a frontrunner for it.

Muslims form 11.56 per cent of Maharashtra’s population and play a decisive role in 38 of the 288 Assembly seats. However, as the only seat where a Muslim MLA is guaranteed election, Malegaon Central is unique and the majority of candidates have historically been from the minority community.

In a city where the clergy significantly influences cultural values and residents are deeply connected through Islamic traditions, it remains to be seen whether a party named ISLAM can successfully attract voters.