Bandra East constituency has about 80,000 Muslim votes and MIM could get only 15,050 votes which indicate that the party is nothing more than a spoiler.
The party polled 15,050 votes, lesser than what they had received six months ago (23,976 votes), and if wants to stay relevant, then it may have to change its style of politics.
Shiv Sena/BJP candidate got 52,711 votes whereas Congress got 33,703 votes and the votes polled by Owaisi led Raja Rehbar Khan tumbled by over 8,000 compared to last year’s assembly elections.
Extensive campaigning in Bandra and negligence of minorities, decision to scurry the Muslim’s quota and beef ban were the issues the AIMIM focussed on.
Ahmed bin Abdullah Balala, MLA from Malakpet, who had camped in Mumbai with Akbaruddin Owaisi for the campaign, attributed the defeat to the party’s “lack of resources”.
“Voters have realised that voting for the AIMIM will not lead to development. In the assembly elections, people voted for them on emotional grounds and because they were angry at the Congress and wanted to teach it a lesson. Plus, they did not have any options,” said Shabbir Ansari of the influential All-India Muslim OBC organisation.
“Ground realities are different, the AIMIM is petering out,” claimed a Samajwadi Party leader, adding that “secular votes had consolidated with the Congress”. Rumours about the AIMIM being hand-in-glove with the Sena-BJP to aid communal polarisation for mutual benefit may have also led to floating voters deserting the party, he claimed.
The AIMIM’s presence had led to Hindu votes consolidating in favour of the Sena. “However, young voters have been swayed by the AIMIM,” said SP’s Abu Asim Azmi.
After winning in Aurangabad Central and Byculla seats in the Maharashtra assembly polls, the Bandra East bye-election result indicates debility of Owaisi-led AIMIM.