ISLAM Party Makes History with Mayoral Victory in Malegaon
In a landmark development for local politics, the newly-formed ISLAM Party has secured the mayoral position in Malegaon during its inaugural contest in civic polls. The party's alliance partner, the Samajwadi Party, clinched the deputy mayor post, marking a significant shift in the city's governance.
Election Results and Voting Dynamics
Shaikh Nasrin Bano, daughter-in-law of the late MLA Rasheed Shaikh, was elected mayor with a comfortable 43 votes, defeating Shiv Sena's candidate Lata Ghodke. Similarly, Samajwadi Party's Shan-e-Hind secured 43 votes to overcome Shiv Sena's Nilesh Kakde for the deputy mayor role. The election was presided over by Nashik district collector Ayush Prasad.
The ISLAM Party, established by former MLA Asif Shaikh, had won 35 seats in the civic polls, while the Samajwadi Party garnered 5 seats. Initially, the alliance was three seats short of a majority in the 84-member house. However, their position strengthened on Saturday when they received three crucial votes from the Congress party.
The path to victory became notably smoother after the AIMIM, holding 21 seats, and the BJP, with 2 seats, chose to abstain from the voting process. This strategic move reduced the threshold for victory, requiring candidates to secure only 31 votes each, which the ISLAM-SP alliance easily achieved.
Post-Election Commitments and Promises
Following her election, Mayor Shaikh Nasrin Bano pledged to deliver exceptional services to the residents of Malegaon. She announced plans for an in-depth investigation into the delayed issuance of birth and death certificates during the first general body meeting.
"During the rule of the administrator, allegations surfaced that the corporation provided 'fake' death and birth certificates, leading to the jailing and harassment of many individuals," she stated. Bano emphasized that the investigation report would be formally presented to the state government for further action.
Historic Representation and Future Goals
Deputy Mayor Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed expressed pride in Malegaon electing two women politicians to key civic positions. "For the first time, two women from the minority community have been elected as mayor and deputy mayor," she remarked. Ahmed outlined their commitment to city development and efforts to eliminate discrimination between the East and West parts of Malegaon.
ISLAM Party's Broader Vision
Former MLA Asif Shaikh, the founder of the ISLAM Party, addressed concerns about the upcoming Special Intensive Revision by the Election Commission. He warned that this revision might unjustly delete the names of Malegaon residents, falsely labeling them as Bangladeshi nationals or Rohingyas.
"We will provide all necessary assistance to Malegaon residents to protect their rights and identities during this process," Shaikh affirmed, highlighting the party's dedication to safeguarding community interests.
This election outcome not only reshapes Malegaon's political landscape but also sets a precedent for new political entities making impactful entries into civic governance.
