BBMP polls: AIMIM wants to grab Ahinda votes, hit Congress

BENGALURU: Eying the AHINDA vote base, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) plans to contest polls to BBMP later this year and get a foothold in Bengaluru. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Bengaluru city AIMIM president Mohammed Ibrahim said though he was new to politics, his party would surely play a major role in the forthcoming BBMP polls. “Our aim is to target the backward classes, Dalits and minorities including Christians. They will be our main vote base, and issues related to these sections will be highlighted.

For instance, many issues concerning street hawkers are never addressed irrespective of whichever party is voted to power in the state. These street hawkers make up a significant chunk of our voters, and we have set our sight on them,” he added. According to him, AIMIM would perhaps contest at least 50 per cent seats in BBMP elections.

“Our main agenda will be based on facts. There is not much of a difference between either of the parties - Congress, BJP and JD(S). All these parties have been in power and people know how much really they care for the downtrodden.

For instance, the Congress recently withdrew cases related to various outfits just ahead of BBMP elections and seems to be trying to gain sympathy as if the party has helped minorities a great deal.

It is reported in the media that the government has withdrawn cases against leaders belonging to SDPI, PFI or KFD. They cannot be considered as sympathy expressed for minorities, but a ploy of political adjustments that the Congress has ushered in. We are going to tackle such issues. There are many innocent Dalits and Christians are languishing in jail who need a sympathetic gesture. We are going to raise such issues,” he added.

Besides, Mr Ibrahim added that the party would also raise the issue of corruption-free administration and instead of focusing on Swachh Bharat programme, the party would like to launch a drive titled “Cleansing Heart.”

“I want AIMIM Benglauru to be recognised as secular and peace loving party than anything else,” he added.