Senior AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel made a significant claim on Monday. He stated that the Shiv Sena faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde approached his party for a post-poll alliance. This alliance was proposed for a civic body in Maharashtra following recent local elections.
AIMIM Firmly Rejects the Proposal
Jaleel, who serves as the Maharashtra unit chief for the Asaduddin Owaisi-led party, was clear in his response. He confirmed that the AIMIM has already rejected this proposal from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The party will not join hands with them under any circumstances.
The former Lok Sabha MP explained the party's strategic position. He said the AIMIM remains open to considering respectful proposals from other political parties. Their primary goal is to prevent the ruling allies, the BJP and Shiv Sena, from gaining power in certain municipal corporations.
No Clear Mandate in Several Civic Bodies
Jaleel provided insight into the post-poll scenario. The party's assessment revealed an interesting political landscape. In three to four civic bodies from the recently held local polls, no single party secured a clear majority. This situation creates opportunities for strategic alliances.
However, Jaleel did not specify particular details. He avoided naming specific civic bodies or revealing how many such offers the party received. This lack of specificity leaves room for further political developments.
AIMIM's Growing Political Footprint
The Hyderabad-based party demonstrated notable performance in the Maharashtra municipal elections held on January 15. Jaleel reflected on these results with evident satisfaction. He emphasized that the AIMIM's political footprint is expanding steadily across municipal councils and corporations throughout the state.
The election data supports this claim. Across 29 municipal bodies, political parties contested for 2,869 corporator seats. The BJP emerged with the highest number of wins, securing 1,425 seats. The Shiv Sena followed with 399 seats, while the NCP captured 167 positions.
The AIMIM achieved an impressive result within this competitive landscape. The party won 125 corporator seats across Maharashtra. This performance indicates growing influence and voter support for the party in the region.
Strategic Positioning for Future Alliances
Jaleel's statements reveal careful political calculation. The AIMIM maintains a firm stance against allying with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena. However, they keep their options open for partnerships with other parties. This approach aims specifically to block the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance from controlling additional municipal corporations.
The party's strategy appears focused on maximizing its influence. By considering alliances selectively, the AIMIM hopes to play a decisive role in municipal governance. Their growing seat count provides them with increased bargaining power in post-election negotiations.
Political observers will watch closely how this situation develops. The rejection of the Shiv Sena proposal signals clear political boundaries. Yet the openness to other alliances suggests pragmatic political maneuvering in Maharashtra's complex municipal landscape.
