AIMIM’s decision to abstain from voting may help ISLAM in Malegaon

Nashik: Speculations about an alliance between AIMIM and Shiv Sena have gained traction after Malegaon MLA Mohammad Khalique met education minister Dada Bhuse ahead of the mayoral election. AIMIM has, however, made it clear that it would abstain from the voting process — a decision that could directly benefit ISLAM party.In Malegaon, elections for the mayor and deputy mayor posts are scheduled for Saturday. ISLAM party, with 35 corporators, and Samajwadi Party, with five members, can reach the majority mark of 43 in the 84-member House with the support of three Congress corporators. Shiv Sena, which holds 18 seats, has also fielded candidates for both the posts.For the post of mayor, nominations have been filed by Sheikh Nasrin Bano Mohammed Khalid and Sheikh Tahera Sheikh Rasheed from ISLAM party, and Lata Ghodke from Shiv Sena.Candidates for the deputy mayor position include Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed and Mohammed Mustkim Mohammed Mustafa (both SP), Hafiz Abdullah Mufti Mohammed Ismail (AIMIM) and Narendra Sonawane and Nilesh Kakde (both Sena).AIMIM's Malegaon city unit president Abdul Malik dismissed speculation of any tie-up with Sena. "The party leadership has clearly stated that AIMIM will abstain from the elections," he said. With AIMIM's 21 corporators staying away, the effective strength of the House drops to 63, reducing the majority requirement from 43 to 33."Since AIMIM is the second-largest party, ISLAM, led by former MLA Asif Shaikh, sought unconditional support. But AIMIM office bearers said this was not possible and decided to abstain. This abstention effectively clears the way for the ISLAM-SP alliance, which now has a strength of 40," an ISLAM party functionary said.It remains uncertain how BJP, with two members, will vote. Its earlier move to play kingmaker through a rare alliance with Congress was rejected by its leadership, prompting it to withdraw its registered group, ‘Bharat Vikas Aghadi'. On the other hand, Shiv Sena functionaries claimed that corporators from ISLAM and even AIMIM were in touch with them and might extend support, which was why the party fielded candidates for both key posts.