Known for exhibiting radical Islamist views, controversial actor Ajaz Khan has decided to contest Maharashtra Assembly elections as an independent candidate from South Mumbai’s Byculla constituency after Asaduddin Owaisi’s party AIMIM refused to grant him a ticket. Ajaz Khan, who said he would choose Quran over constitution, has filed from Byculla and will be up against lawyer and sitting AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan and Arun Gawli’s daughter, Geeta Gawli of the Shiv Sena. Amusingly, Khan wanted to contest from Owaisi’s party ticket from Mumbra but is now contesting as independent candidate from Byculla.
Khan has been allotted ‘Gas Cylinder’ as his election symbol. In an interview with News 18, Ajaz Khan said that he is confident of giving a tough fight to his competitors who’ve failed spectacularly in developing Byculla. Khan cited severe problems and the lack of basic facilities endured by the residents and workers in Byculla. He stated that buildings and roads are in bad shape and despite many incidents, no safety measures have been instituted. If being elected to power, Khan said that his first priority will be to raise the standard of living of the people of Byculla.
Khan has found support in another reality tv star actress Mahika Sharma who participated in Bigg Boss last year. Mahika has said she would like to see Khan as the prime minister some day. “Ajaz is young and hot,” she said adding that being a voice of the youth, Khan would be able to help the city develop in a better way. She added that Khan will bring an end to rape cases and women will be worshipped as they will feel secured.
The tendentious actor claimed that he took the plunge into politics to “end the politics of Hindus vs Muslims”. “I am here to end the politics of Hindu vs Muslims as it’s the time that politics is raised above this issue. Reports of lynching have made Muslims’ lives miserable and all are living under the fear of getting attacked anytime. Being a responsible leader one needs to make all feel secured in India,” Ajaz said.
Serial abuser Ajaz Khan was recently arrested by the Mumbai Police on the charges of inciting communal tensions after he posted hate-filled videos on social media sites provoking violence and mob lynching of Hindus by Muslims, and mocking police for not being able to catch Muslims who indulge in communal violence. Khan had also posted a video menacingly threatening actor Payal Rohatgi by claiming that one day the entire world will turn Islamic. In the same video, Khan also made insinuations against PM Modi alleging that he is supporting those who carry out violence chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
Khan was released after his 14-day judicial custody ended, following which he appeared to sing a different tune. Khan released a video heaping praise on PM Modi and Amit Shah for playing an instrumental role in the release of innocent Muslims incarcerated all across the country on frivolous charges by previous Congress regimes.
It is germane to mention that just a few of days ago, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi made a deeply communal speech in his public rally in Nanded where he tried to draw a sharp contrast between Hindus and Muslims. In his speech, Owaisi exhorted the Muslims of Nanded to shun secularism and vote on the basis of their Muslim identity. Owaisi showed absolute disdain for the Hindu ritual of placing lemons and chillies for auspiciousness and warding off threats and asserted that Muslims do not waste lemons and chillies on such rituals.
Gloating over the fact that he alone fought the police and overcame all the obstacles on his own, Ajaz said, “My message is for Assaduddin Owaisi, Azam Khan, Waris Pathan, Hashmi ji and all other such politicians. I was being slapped with 3 false cases but you didn’t raise your voice in my defence. You (Assad) defended Kanhaiya Kumar in the parliament, you raised your voice for many people in the parliament but you never spoke for Ajaz Khan.”
