Pitted against four-term legislator Arif Aqeel in Bhopal North constituency, BJP nominee Fatima Siddiqui is actively in the contest and the BJP workers are in support of her canvassing in different areas.
When Fatima’s candidature was declared, the BJP workers were annoyed, as she is the daughter of senior Congress leader Rasool Ahmed Siddiqui. She was provided membership of the party only few hours before giving ticket.
With little or no opposition Arif Aqeel remained sole contestant to sail the victory for four consecutive terms including three from Congress, but with Fateema’s candidature Aqeel is likely to face stiff opposition this time.
For long the votes in the constituency are polarized on the communal lines and to strike the weakness candidate of same community which is Aqeel’s main reason BJP had tried to nail it this time. Choosing contestant from Muslim community is aimed to dent the voting which is based on community lines.
Although she is new on political platform her father was a big name in the political arena and enjoyed status of big figure in Congress. She feels that the network of her father in the community would favour her.
While talking to ‘The Pioneer’ Fatima said, “It is hard to maintain legacy he has created but there are things which have to be accepted and life is dynamic. I thought to work for education initially but during campaigning I found that infrastructure remains problem for the past 20 years and people are complaining like anything and it looked like they were waiting for someone who could hear their pleas and address their issues in appropriate manner. The campaigning at every ward has been targeted and to reach to the voters is important.”
She said that the constituency is won by Aqeel only by garnering community based votes. He had mislead the community, the youth are jobless, education is a big problem and problems which were their two decades ago are still unanswered and are not likely to solve and most importantly difference between communities have to be resolved for development.
On the other hand, Aqeel who is confident of retaining his constituency was seen campaigning in an open jeep due to his age related issues still his charm among speaks as none of the locals spoke against him irrespective of religion.
The campaigning by senior Congress leader and sitting MLA from Bhopal North constituency was witnessed with big procession supported by locals. Arif Aqeel said that things would change and his good works would garner votes. There are problems which require time to reach solution.
