The making of ISLAM: In Malegaon, a new party built on old networks rises to the top | Political Pulse News
Malegaon, one of Maharashtra’s most politically distinct cities, has once again charted its own course. In the recently concluded municipal Corporation elections, the city delivered a clear verdict in favour of a new political formation, ISLAM, floated by former Congress MLA Shaikh Asif, which emerged as the single-largest party in the 84-member civic body. ISLAM, short for Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra, won 35 seats and, along with its ally Samajwadi Party, which secured five, crossed the halfway mark. The alliance is now set to install its mayor, making Malegaon one of the few cities in the state where power rests outside both the ruling Mahayuti and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. A city shaped by minority politics Muslims make up 11.56% of Maharashtra’s population, but in Malegaon, the figure rises to nearly 78%, giving the community a decisive role in the city’s politics. Malegaon Central is among the rare Assembly constituencies in the state to have consistently elected a Muslim MLA since Independence. For decades, politics here revolved around two influential families, that …
-1768562132781_d.png "Maharashtra civic polls: Gadkari says Mahayuti victory will boost development")
