Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi, Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) has started its preparations for the February polls.
As per initial reports, Owaisi’s party is mulling over considering Tahir Hussain, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor and 2020 Delhi riots accused, from the Mustafabad constituency.
While Tahir Hussain, who remains lodged in jail over Delhi riots case, is expected to meet his family and join AIMIM on Tuesday. Meanwhile, AIMIM may field either Hussain or his wife as a candidate from the Mustafabad seat.
According to sources, AIMIM is planning to contest around 10 seats in the 70-seat Delhi Assembly Elections, which are due in February next year. The move could lead to a triangular contest for Muslim votes in the region, potentially posing a challenge for AAP while creating an opportunity for the BJP.
Recently, Tahir Hussain got a ‘relief’ from the Delhi High Court after it quashed an FIR against Husain in connection with the Delhi riots. The FIR, registered on February 27, 2020, pertained to allegations of rioting and vandalism on the first floor of a building. The court noted that Hussain was already facing charges in another case related to the same incident.
Tahir Hussain was previously elected as a councillor from the Nehru Nagar ward on an AAP ticket.
During a hearing in November, the court observed that evidence from both FIRs indicated that rioters first broke into a parking area, set vehicles on fire, and later moved to the first floor of the building, where food was being prepared for a wedding.
It was reported that the rioters caused significant damage to the property and belongings on the first floor.
While the quashed FIR was registered on February 27, 2020 on a complaint by the aggrieved party for the alleged commission of offences, including rioting and mischief on the first floor of a building, the first FIR was registered on February 25, 2020 on the basis of a complaint by a policeman for similar offences on the ground floor. The court concluded that both FIRs pertained to the same chain of events.
