Matia Mahal is one constituency where the winning symbol has changed quite a few times across five elections, but the face hasn’t. Five-time MLA Shoaib Iqbal is in the race to enter the Assembly yet again, this time on a Congress ticket, and he is confident of the history repeating itself.
His supporters claim that not only would Mr. Iqbal gain from his own work done in the constituency, but would also gain in the form of some of traditional Congress voters throwing their weight behind him.
After winning twice on a Janata Dal ticket, Mr. Iqbal contested the 2003 elections as a Janata Dal (Secular) candidate. This was followed by two stints as an MLA representing parties which have their core base in Bihar.
He won the 2008 elections under the banner of the Lok Janshakti Party, and the subsequent elections on a Janata Dal (United) ticket.
Interestingly, the Congress has been the main challenger for Mr. Iqbal over the years with its candidates securing the runner-up position in four out of the five elections held so far.
The rationale that Mr. Iqbal gives for switching over to the Congress is fighting communal forces and preventing the division of Muslim votes which is a major determinant in Matia Mahal.
But residents of the area recall how Mr. Iqbal had in the past blamed the BJP and the Congress for the Babri mosque demolition. “People have moved beyond emotional issues and are questioning Mr. Iqbal about the development agenda he has for the residents of his constituency. ,” said Ashok Saini, an AAP worker. A cross-section of voters said education and price rise would be the areas they would expect the next winner to focus on.
The BJP has fielded Shakeel Anjum Dehlavi, who last contested on an AAP ticket and secured the third position . Mr. Dehalvi believes that the message that Kiran Bedi is becoming the next Chief Minister has been grasped well by the electorates.
Constituency Watch - Matia Mahal
Three main contenders in 2015
Congress: Shoaib Iqbal AAP: Aasim BJP: Anjuman Dahalwi
