After days of speculation, news has spread in Okhla that the Congress party has nominated Ariba Khan as its candidate for the constituency. A senior Congress leader and former Zakir Nagar Councillor told the OT over the phone that Ariba’s father, former MLA Asif Mohammad Khan, informed him about the party’s confirmation of her ticket.
Lates update: Congress has announced Ariba as its candidate from Okhla.
As of the filing of this report, sources indicated that journalists were gathered outside Asif Mohammad Khan’s residence in Kalindi Kunj, where the family was reportedly in a meeting. Another Congress leader mentioned that the list might be released later today, although the exact timing remains unclear.
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Ariba Khan, currently serving as a ward councilor, is the daughter of former MLA Asif Mohammad Khan and the niece of Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.
Earlier, there were speculations that Congress might field Ishrat Jahan, the daughter-in-law of former Okhla MLA Parvez Hashmi. Ishrat Jahan was also accused in the Delhi riots case and was arrested by the police but later granted bail. Advocate Aarfa Khanam was also in the race. A reliable party insider based in Okhla said her name was also recommended till the last moment.
Shoaib Danish, who was also in the running, appears to have lost out but has expressed his willingness to respect the party’s decision. His wife, Nazia Danish, is the Councillor for Zakir Nagar ward, which was reserved for women in the previous election.
Neither Asif Mohammad Khan nor his daughter Ariba Khan could be reached for comment. Both remain tight-lipped, awaiting the official ticket announcement to celebrate the moment. Ariba Khan currently serves as the Councillor for the Abul Fazal Enclave ward.
If her candidacy is confirmed, it will mark a significant political leap for Ariba Khan, who was introduced to politics by her father, former Congress MLA Asif Mohammad Khan. She will face off against AAP’s Amanatullah Khan, seeking his third consecutive term. The BJP has fielded Manish Chaudhary, whose father has ties to the Jamiat. Additionally, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM has announced Shafa-ur-Rehman, an accused in the Delhi riots case, as their candidate for the seat.
Political observers predict a highly competitive contest. Despite facing anti-incumbency, Amanatullah Khan secured 130,367 votes in the 2020 elections, while BJP’s Brahm Singh received 58,540 votes. Congress candidate Parvez Hashmi managed only 5,123 votes.
Amanatullah Khan first won the seat in 2015, defeating Asif Mohammad Khan with 104,271 votes. That year, Brahm Singh garnered 39,739 votes, and Asif Mohammad Khan secured 20,135 votes. In the 2013 elections, Asif Mohammad Khan had emerged victorious, and he also won the 2009 by-election on an RJD ticket. From 1993 to 2008, Parvez Hashmi held the seat for multiple terms as a Congress candidate.
With Muslims comprising more than 55 per cent of the Okhla region’s population, the political dynamics have historically favored Muslim candidates.
Observers note that Ariba Khan’s entry into the race could present a significant challenge to Amanatullah Khan, as both candidates have strong influence among voters from Western Uttar Pradesh.
