The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has achieved a remarkable victory in Maharashtra's recent civic elections. Led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, the party secured 125 wards across 13 municipal corporations. This represents a dramatic increase from their previous tally of 56 wards in the state.
Historic Performance for Hyderabad-Based Party
This election marks the strongest performance ever recorded by AIMIM in Maharashtra. The party contested selectively, fielding candidates in 24 out of 29 municipal corporations that went to polls on January 15. In several civic bodies, AIMIM candidates outperformed established political parties including the Samajwadi Party, Nationalist Congress Party, and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.
Strategic Campaigning Overcomes Internal Challenges
Despite facing internal dissent and resignations of some senior leaders over ticket distribution decisions, the party mounted an aggressive campaign. Asaduddin Owaisi and Telangana assembly floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi addressed multiple rallies across key urban centers. Their efforts significantly boosted the party's visibility and outreach among voters.
The campaign proved particularly effective in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, considered an AIMIM stronghold. Here, the party won 33 out of 115 wards, emerging as the second largest political force after the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Widespread Gains Across Maharashtra
AIMIM's success extended well beyond its traditional strongholds. The party made significant gains across multiple cities:
- 21 wards in Malegaon
- 14 wards in Nanded
- 12 wards in Amravati
- 10 wards in Dhulia
- 8 wards in Solapur
- 7 wards in Nagpur
- 2 wards each in Ahmednagar and Jalna
- 1 ward each in Parbhani and Chandrapur
Notably, the party also secured eight wards in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. This achievement underlines AIMIM's growing footprint in Maharashtra's largest civic body.
Expanding Support Base Beyond Traditional Constituencies
AIMIM Maharashtra president Imtiyaz Jaleel attributed the electoral success to the party's work among oppressed sections of society. He noted increasing public confidence in the party's approach. According to Jaleel, AIMIM's support base has expanded beyond Muslim voters. Hindus, including Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe voters, have backed AIMIM candidates in significant numbers.
This trend found clear expression in the victory of several non-Muslim candidates on the party's ticket. Jaleel cited the example of Gulmandi ward in Sambhajinagar, a traditional Shiv Sena-BJP bastion. Here, two out of four winning candidates represented AIMIM.
Emerging as Potential Kingmaker
Political analysts observe that AIMIM has consolidated its vote share in Marathwada and parts of western Maharashtra. The party has also made early inroads into Mumbai and Thane regions. In minority-dominated pockets, AIMIM candidates displaced contenders from the Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar), altering local electoral equations.
With wins or leads in 125 wards, AIMIM has emerged as a potential kingmaker in several municipal corporations. Neither the ruling Mahayuti alliance nor the opposition MVA has secured clear majorities in these bodies. The party leadership is expected to decide whether to extend support or remain in opposition in the coming days.
Khairunisa Akbar Husain, an AIMIM leader who won from ward number 145 in Mumbai, expressed humility about the victory. She stated that the success belongs to the people rather than any individual candidate. Husain pledged to work on all issues raised during the campaign.
Imtiyaz Jaleel told reporters that both factions of the Shiv Sena trailed AIMIM in several wards. This positions the Hyderabad-based party as the principal opposition in key civic bodies across Maharashtra.
