After Malegaon success, ISLAM forms core committee in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Disgruntled office-bearers and former corporators of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen on Monday got former Malegaon MLA and Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra (ISLAM) party chief Asif Shaikh to form his party's core committee in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, following its success in Malegaon.Shaikh announced the formation of a core committee for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city and district, inducting some former key office-bearers and corporators of AIMIM who are reportedly upset over the denial of party tickets in previous municipal corporation elections.Speaking to reporters ahead of an Iftar gathering in the city, Shaikh said the newly formed committee would oversee organisational work until a city president and a full-fledged body are appointed. The members include Rafat Yar Khan, Syed Arif Hussaini, Kaleem Qureshi, Abul Hasan Hashmi, Salim Patel, Ghazi Saaduddin, Shaikh Zafar, Jamil Khan, Sheikh Owais and Abu Lala Hashmi.Shaikh said the party would convene a state-level meeting in Mumbai after Eid to finalise its Maharashtra expansion roadmap. Describing ISLAM as a secular outfit, Shaikh said the party had 35 elected corporators in Malegaon, including three Hindus, two from the Maratha community and one from the Dalit community. He added that the party is recognised by the Election Commission of India and the State Election Commission.Targeting civic administration, Shaikh flagged the city's drinking water crisis. "Despite funds from state and central govts and the municipal corporation, residents receive water once in four, eight or even 10 days. This indicates serious lapses and possible corruption," he alleged. He said the party would gather information on pending water schemes and launch a major agitation in the city.He also announced that the local unit would set up helpline centres to assist citizens with documentation for the SIR (Special Institutional Registration/Survey), scheduled to begin in Maharashtra from April 1. In Malegaon, the party has already started helping people access the 2002 voter list, he said.Launching a political attack, Shaikh accused the BJP of polarising voters and reiterated his criticism of the AIMIM for, as he put it, exploiting Muslim youth in the name of religion. He said ISLAM would function as a secular alternative focused on youth, education, healthcare and women's issues.