Abdul Sattar firm on contesting 2019 Polls against Congress candidate in Aurangabad

Aurangabad, 25 Mar 2019 [Fik/News Sources]: Abdul Sattar, Congress MLA from Sillod and Aurangabad District Congress President, who resigned from both the posts Saturday, said there was no question of a change in mind and he was firm on contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Aurangabad Lok Sabha seat as Independent.

"There is no question of a re-think over my decision to resign from the Congress party. I have also decided to contest the Aurangabad Lok Sabah seat as Independent and there will not be any change in my announced plan", he told reporters Sunday.

Abdul Sattar was upset after the Congress named Subhash Zambad as the party's candidate from Aurangabad.

Aurangabad is one of the few Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra where Muslim population is substantial. Muslim MLAs and party leaders from the community had demanded from the Congress high command to field Muslim candidates in constituencies dominated by the community. The party high command however turned down these demands saying chances of Muslims winning the elections are very slim in the existing "highly polarised" situation.

"I have worked for the party for more than 25 years. But, the name recommended by the Aurangabad District Congress Committee was not even considered", Abdul Sattar, two-time MLA from Sillod, said.

"Not only will I contest, I will not withdraw and I hope to definitely win the Lok Sabha elections," he added.

There are also reports that Abdul Sattar had met Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis last night.

Aurangabad Lok Sabha seat is also in news over the speculations that AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi will contest the 2019 Parliamentary election as Vanchit Aghadi candidate. Owaisi refuted the media reports, saying he will contest the elections from Hyderabad.

According to the AIMIM sources, party MLA from Aurangabad Center Imtiyaz Jaleel has shown his interest to contest the 2019 General elections as Vanchit Aghadi candidate.

Polling for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Aurangabad will be held on April 23, 2019. The counting of votes will be done on May 23. The seat, which comprises six Assembly segments Kannad, Aurangabad Central, Aurangabad West, Aurangabad East, Gangapurand Vaijapur, is currently represented by Chandrakant Khaire of Shiv Sena.