As Delhi prepares for the assembly election results, due tomorrow, stakes are high in Mustafabad, one of the most keenly watched constituencies. While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wrested this seat from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2020 Delhi elections, the Congress had won it in 2013 during Sheila Dikshit's tenure.
The Mustafabad Assembly constituency, part of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, was formed in 2008 following the implementation of the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission of India, constituted in 2002.
In 2020, communal riots broke out in northeast Delhi, with Mustafabad being one of the worst-affected areas. This election marks the first since the violence, making the contest crucial in a constituency where Muslims form a majority.
The seat is currently held by AAP MLA Haji Yunus, who won the last election with a margin of over 20,000 votes, defeating BJP’s Jagdish Pradhan. Despite securing nearly half of the total votes polled in 2020, Yunus was denied a ticket by AAP this time.
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Four-Cornered Contest In Mustafabad Between AAP, BJP, Congress, AIMIM
Mustafabad is set to witness a four-cornered contest, with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) also entering the fray. The party has fielded Tahir Hussain, an accused in the Delhi riots case. Previously, the seat primarily saw a three-way fight among AAP, BJP, and Congress. This time, AAP has nominated Adil Ahmad Khan, while BJP has fielded Mohan Singh Bisht, a five-time MLA from Karawal Nagar. Congress has nominated Ali Mehdi.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, BJP’s Manoj Tiwari secured a victory from North East Delhi—of which Mustafabad is a part—defeating Congress’ Kanhaiya Kumar by over one lakh votes.
In the last Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections held in 2022, the Congress candidate won this ward despite the presence of the sitting AAP MLA.