By A.Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: After remaining out of public glare for decades, Mohammed Shahid Rafi, son of legendary playback singer late Mohammed Rafi, has jumped into the political fray and contesting on All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) ticket from Mumbaidevi seat in Mumbai.
This is the first time that the 52-year-old garment trader, who holds musical shows in memory of his father, is stepping into the political world but it is obvious that he will be banking on the goodwill of his late father. The Mumbadevi constituency is considered to be a stronghold of Congress MLA and former minister Amin Patel.
Mohammed Shahid Rafi, son of legendary singer late Mohammed Rafi campaigning in Mumbadevi.
Marking a debut out of Andhra/Hyderabad, the MIM has given tickets to 24 candidates, including 3 non-Muslims and one former journalist. Almost all its candidates have no prior political career to help in drawing voters in numbers or to sketch a working strategy for a win.
Although during campaigning, it has been noted that people in the area are curious to see the legendary singer’s son in the political ring but many are doubtful about his choice of Mumbadevi segment for marking his debut. Muslim community in the area seems satisfied with the sitting MLA Patel, who is again the Congress candidate this time.
Patel considers MIM to be a “communal party” due to the alleged provocative speeches by Owaisi brothers – top MIM leaders – in the past and appeared confident that people of Mumbadevi will vote for him again. “People may come out to see him (Shahid) out of curiosity but will elect a secular candidate,” Patel told ToI recently.
In 2009 there were 1 lakh voters in Mumbadevi. This year, nearly 18,000 young voters – aged between 18 and 25 – have been added. Reportedly, 8,000 of them are from the minority community.
Political observers claim that the MIM has increased political awareness amongst Muslim youths. But, though number of youth attracted towards MIM is increasing, will Rafi be able to pull the winning shot against a strong Muslim Congress candidate?