Another Delhi Riots Accused On Team Owaisi, Shafaur Rehman Likely To Be Fielded Against Amanatullah Khan

The AIMIM had earlier said that it would field Delhi riots accused Tahir Hussain in the 2025 Delhi election. It is also considering giving a ticket to another accused Shahrukh Pathan.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi (left) and Shafiur Rahman Khan

Source : PTI

Delhi Assembly Election 2025: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi has said that his party will give a ticket to another accused in the Delhi riots. The AIMIM is preparing to field Shafaur Rehman Khan, former president of the Jamia Alumni Association, from the Okhla Assembly seat. Shafaur Rehman Khan is currently in jail on charges related to the Delhi riots.

Shafaur Rehman Khan played a key role in the anti-CAA movement at Jamia Millia Islamia while he was president of the Jamia Alumni Association in 2019-2020. Asaduddin Owaisi's party has already announced a ticket for Tahir Hussain, an accused in the riots, from Mustafabad, which was at the centre of the 2020 Delhi riots. The party is also considering a ticket for another accused, Shahrukh Pathan, from Seelampur.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi informed the voters of Delhi about the development during a TV show on January 1. Shafaur Rehman Khan will go up against the Aam Aadmi Party's Amanatullah Khan. The Congress and the BJP are yet to announce their candidates for the seat.

'Muslims Have Right To Choose Their Leaders'

Following the announcement of Tahir Hussain as a candidate, Owaisi on December 19 stated that while every community in India has its leadership, but Muslims are often denied representation. "Muslims, too, have the right to choose their leaders," he said. He stressed the need for Muslims to elect their leaders and questioned how long they would continue supporting parties unable to challenge the BJP effectively.

Owaisi further criticised the BJP's electoral success, questioning how the party managed to form governments in Haryana and Maharashtra despite falling short of majority mandates.

The Delhi Assembly elections are likely to take place in February. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced candidates for all 70 seats, while the Congress has declared candidates for 47 out of 70 seats. The BJP is yet to announce its candidates.