All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is planning to contest the Lok Sabha election in seven to eight constituencies in Maharashtra, two of which could be in Mumbai. This move by AIMIM could disrupt the vote bank of MVA.

According to official statistical data, there are 17 to 18 per cent Muslim voters in Mumbai. As Muslim voters are largely seen as opposing voters of the BJP, AIMIM’s decision to contest the Lok Sabha election in Mumbai contrasts with its previous stance in 2019, when the party refrained from contesting due to its alliance with Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. “We are going to contest elections in the state,” said Adv Waris Pathan, national spokesperson of the party. “We will contest at least 7-8 seats in Maharashtra and will announce our candidates soon,” Pathan added.