Political Loyalties Shift as Former Colleagues Clash in Ahmedabad Civic Polls
In the dynamic world of politics, the adage that there are no permanent friends or foes is vividly illustrated in the upcoming Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) elections. The 2026 polls reveal a striking pattern where corporators elected from the same party in 2021 in wards like Gomtipur, Danilimda, and Jamalpur are now pitted against each other as rivals, following significant political defections and realignments.
Jamalpur Ward: From Allies to Adversaries
During the 2021 AMC elections, Rafik Sheikh and Mustak Khadiwala contested and won as corporators from the Jamalpur ward under the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) banner. However, in a dramatic turn of events ahead of the 2026 elections, both resigned from AIMIM. Now, they are locked in a direct contest in Jamalpur, with Khadiwala running as a Congress candidate and Sheikh entering the fray as an Independent candidate, showcasing a complete reversal of their previous alliance.
Gomtipur Ward: Congress Comrades Turn Competitors
A similar political upheaval has unfolded in the Gomtipur ward. In 2021, Iqbal Sheikh and Zulfi Khan Pathan were elected as corporators representing the Congress party. Prior to the 2026 polls, Iqbal Sheikh resigned from Congress and joined AIMIM. Consequently, he is now contesting from Gomtipur as an AIMIM candidate, while Zulfi Khan Pathan seeks re-election under the Congress ticket. This shift means that the two corporators who once jointly represented the ward are now opposing each other in the electoral battle.
Danilimda Ward: Suspension Sparks New Allegiances
The pattern of political fluidity extends to the Danilimda ward as well. In 2021, Jamnaben Vegda was elected as a corporator on a Congress ticket. Following a dispute with a fellow corporator, she was suspended from the party and later joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in preparation for the 2026 elections. She is now contesting as an AAP candidate. Her former colleague, Shehzad Khan Pathan, who was elected alongside her in 2021, remains in the fray, setting the stage for a contest between rival panels in Danilimda.
These developments underscore the volatile nature of local politics in Ahmedabad, where personal ambitions and party dynamics frequently lead to unexpected rivalries. The 2026 AMC elections are poised to be a litmus test for voter loyalty amidst these high-profile defections and realignments, potentially reshaping the civic landscape of the city.
