The Congress party is reportedly considering fielding Ishrat Jahan, former municipal councillor, as its candidate from the Okhla constituency in upcoming Delhi assembly elections. Jahan spent two years in jail under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in connection with Delhi riots case.
Ariba Khan, a councillor and daughter of former Congress MLA Asif Muhammad Khan, is also a strong contender for the party’s ticket from the same constituency.
In a related development, Tahir Hussain, another accused in a Delhi riots case who remains in jail, has been nominated by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) to contest from Mustafabad constituency. Mustafabad is one of the seven assembly seats in Delhi where Muslims form a majority.
According to The Print, Jahan expressed her willingness to contest the Okhla seat when Congress leaders approached her regarding her potential candidature. The seat has been held by Aam Aadmi Party’s Amanatullah Khan since 2015. Historically, Congress leaders Asif Muhammad Khan and Parvez Hashmi have also represented this constituency.
Jahan is daughter-in-law of Parvez Hashmi, former Congress Rajya Sabha MP. Meanwhile, Ariba Khan gained prominence after winning as a councillor in 2022 Delhi civic polls.
The Congress has announced 47 candidates for the 70-member Delhi assembly elections.
Notably, a Delhi court granted bail to Jahan in March 2022. The court observed that she was not physically present in North-East Delhi during the riots, had no association with any groups or organisations involved, and her name didn’t appear in any surveillance footage, phone records, or conspiratorial meetings.
