A controversial political episode has unfolded in Akola, casting a shadow over the upcoming civic elections. The incident came to light on the final day for withdrawal of nominations for the Akola Municipal Corporation (AMC) polls, Friday, after a video surfaced online. The footage purportedly shows a meeting held inside a mosque where community members decided which Muslim candidate should continue in the electoral fray.
The Ward and The Contenders
The controversy centers on ward number 16, a seat reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC) women. Two Muslim women candidates were contesting from this ward: Shamimbi Sheikh Rafiq from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and Amreen Sadaf Syed Nazim from the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) or NCP(SP).
The Mosque Meeting and The Draw of Lots
According to sources and the circulating visuals, a gathering of the Muslim community was convened at a mosque in Akola's Khadan area. The reported aim was to prevent a split in the minority votes, which could potentially benefit a candidate from another community. Family members and supporters of both the MIM and NCP(SP) candidates were said to be present.
During this meeting, attendees reportedly resorted to a 'draw of lots' to determine which candidate would step back. The objective was to ensure only one Muslim candidate remained in the contest to consolidate the community's votes. As per the outcome of this draw, MIM's Shamimbi Sheikh Rafiq officially withdrew her nomination on the last day.
Aftermath and Political Fallout
Following her withdrawal, Shamimbi publicly declared her support for the NCP(SP)'s Amreen Sadaf Syed Nazim, effectively unifying the minority vote in ward 16. However, the video of the mosque meeting, which emerged after the withdrawal deadline had passed, has ignited a fierce political debate in the city.
Local leaders and observers have raised pointed questions about the blurring of lines between religion and electoral politics. The specific use of a religious place for a political decision-making process has become the core of the criticism. As campaigning intensifies, this development has added a significant and contentious layer to the atmosphere surrounding the Akola civic polls.
