AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi strongly criticised the recent attack on the party’s Maharashtra unit chief Imtiaz Jaleel during the ongoing campaign for the local body elections. He said that the people of Aurangabad would give their answer through the ballot by supporting his party. Calling the incident a “cowardly act,” Owaisi stated that it reflected the attackers’ fear of defeat. He added that the administration had been urged to identify and take action against those responsible. Earlier, Owaisi led a roadshow in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, interacting with residents while campaigning for AIMIM candidates.

Imtiaz Jaleel alleged that his party’s rally in the city was attacked by unknown individuals, resulting in injuries to several supporters. He said that despite having official permission and police presence, a group of armed attackers targeted party workers and vehicles. Jaleel maintained that AIMIM would continue its campaign peacefully and within democratic limits.

He further claimed the violence was aimed at disrupting the election process and warned that the party would decide its future course of action if authorities failed to register an FIR and take appropriate steps. Jaleel also accused leaders linked to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the BJP of feeling threatened by AIMIM’s growing influence in the civic polls. The Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations, including BMC, PMC and PCMC, with voting scheduled for January 15 and counting on January 16.