
Sat Jan 17 13:59:11 UTC 2026: ### AIMIM Gains Ground in Maharashtra Civic Polls, Rejects BJP Alliance Amid Citizenship Concerns
The Story:
January 17, 2026: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi addressed the media, celebrating his party’s victory in 125 seats in Maharashtra’s civic polls. He specifically highlighted the significant gains in cities like Aurangabad (33 seats), Malegaon (21 seats), and others. Owaisi emphatically ruled out any alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He also addressed concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, arguing it was incorrectly linked to citizenship determination and emphasized potential disenfranchisement of legitimate voters.
Key Points:
- AIMIM won 125 seats in Maharashtra civic polls.
- Significant victories were secured in Aurangabad (33 seats), Malegaon (21 seats), Nanded (14 seats), Amravati (12 seats), Mumbai (8 seats), and Mumbra (5 seats).
- Asaduddin Owaisi firmly rejected any alliance with the BJP or NDA.
- He criticized the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stating it was wrongly associated with citizenship determination.
- Owaisi raised concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement due to stringent verification processes.
- He condemned reported moves in Uttarakhand to bar non-Hindus from certain areas as unconstitutional.
Key Takeaways:
- AIMIM is solidifying its position as a significant political force, particularly within Muslim-dominated areas of Maharashtra.
- The party’s staunch opposition to the BJP and NDA remains a core tenet of its political strategy.
- Concerns about the electoral roll revision process highlight anxieties regarding citizenship verification and potential disenfranchisement.
- Owaisi’s comments about Uttarakhand reflect growing concerns about discriminatory policies targeting religious minorities.
- The focus on local governance underscores the importance of grassroots mobilization and representation in AIMIM’s strategy.