Ahmedabad's Historic Wards Gear Up for High-Stakes Municipal Polls
The old city areas of Ahmedabad are poised for a tightly contested electoral battle, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress, and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) engaging in a direct confrontation across all 16 seats spanning four distinct wards. While these three political entities remain the primary contenders, candidates from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a significant number of independent nominees are anticipated to influence the final results decisively.
Recap of the 2021 Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Elections
In the previous Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections held in 2021, the 16 seats were distributed among the three major parties. The BJP secured victory in seven seats, Congress won five, and AIMIM captured four. The outcomes exhibited a clear ward-based segmentation: Congress achieved a clean sweep by winning all four seats in Dariapur, AIMIM replicated this feat in Jamalpur, BJP dominated Khadia by securing all four seats, and in Shahpur, BJP clinched three seats while Congress managed to claim one.
Jamalpur Ward: A Microcosm of Shifting Political Allegiances
Jamalpur ward is expected to be one of the most closely monitored constituencies in this election cycle. A total of 19 candidates are in the fray. In 2021, AIMIM had won all four seats here, but the political equations have undergone substantial changes. Two former AIMIM councillors are now contesting from opposing sides: Rafik Sheikh is running as an independent candidate, while Mustak Khadiwala is contesting on a Congress ticket. Another former AIMIM councillor, Afsanabanu Chishti, is seeking re-election. Overall, three councillors who had previously won are now fighting from different political parties.
Congress has fielded Mustak Khadiwala, Faiz Mohammad Marfatia, Najninbanu Thakor, and Saniya Pathan. AIMIM candidates include Afsanabanu Chishti, Nasrinbanu Qureshi, Abdulahad Pathan, and Mohammad Yasin Tekrawala. BJP has put forward Pratapsingh Rawat, Jyotika Vaghela, Priyanka Kahar, and Tarun Padhiar. AAP candidates Azra Kelawala and Aftab Ahmed Saiyed are also in the contest. Additionally, Amin Ajmeri and Shahnawaz Sheikh are contesting as candidates from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), and two independent candidates from the Muslim community have further intensified the competition.
Jamalpur ward boasts 81,395 voters, with a majority belonging to the Muslim community. Within this demographic, the Chhipa community is considered particularly influential. Both Congress and AIMIM have fielded four Muslim candidates each, including one candidate from the Chhipa community. The contest here is largely perceived as a direct fight between Congress and AIMIM, with independent candidates likely to play a pivotal role in determining the outcome.
Shahpur Ward: A Battle Ground for Multiple Communities
Sixteen candidates are contesting in Shahpur ward. In 2021, BJP won three of the four seats, while Congress secured one. Congress has fielded former councillor Akbar Bhati along with three new candidates: Indira Parmar, Asha Dantani, and Brijesh Sharma. BJP has repeated Rekha Chauhan and introduced Hitendra Parmar, Jitendra Chauhan, and Rashmi Shah as candidates. AAP has four candidates—Naran Parmar, Iqbal Mansuri, Jashi Rathod, and Shobhana Rawat—in the race, while AIMIM has fielded Majid Hussain Sheikh. There are also three independent Muslim candidates. Shahpur has 67,441 voters, and the electoral outcome is significantly influenced by the Dalit, Muslim, and Devipujak communities.
Dariapur Ward: Highest Candidate Count and Dominant Muslim Vote
Dariapur ward features the highest number of candidates at 23. Congress, which had won all four seats here in 2021, has repeated three candidates and fielded one former councillor. The candidates include Nirav Bakshi, Sameera Sheikh, Mona Prajapati, and Imtiyaz Hussain Sheikh. BJP has fielded Naresh Pawar, Sheelat Panchal, Rinku Dantaniya, and Bhupendra Bharwad. AIMIM candidates include Ruknoddin Momin (Raju Momin), Azminabanu Sheikh, Farhanabanu Mansuri, and Anis Ahmed Sheikh. AAP and the Samajwadi Party have also fielded four candidates each, along with other contenders. The ward has 77,702 voters, with Muslim voters forming the dominant group, making this a critical battleground for all parties.
Khadia Ward: BJP's Stronghold Faces Challenges
Fifteen candidates have been fielded in Khadia ward. BJP, which had won all four seats here in 2021, has fielded Pankaj Bhatt again. Hetal Nayak, wife of former councillor Umang Nayak, has also been given a ticket. Other BJP candidates include Pareshkumar Anand and Shwetal Shah. Congress candidates are Birju Thakkar, Meena Nayak, Dhruvkumar Kalapi, and Mohammad Ilyaskhan Pathan. AAP has fielded Majidkhan Pathan, Munira Merchant, and Mukesh Chauhan, while AIMIM's candidate is Maksud Sharabuwala. There are also three independent candidates. Khadia has 73,098 voters, with Hindu voters forming the majority, setting the stage for a contest where BJP aims to defend its stronghold against emerging challenges.
The electoral dynamics in Ahmedabad's old city reflect a complex interplay of community interests, party strategies, and individual candidacies, making this a closely watched municipal poll with potential implications for local governance and political realignments.
