'Paint Mumbra green': Victory speech of AIMIM corporator sparks controversy

Thane: The victory speech of newly-elected AIMIM corporator Sahar Shaikh, in which she was heard speaking to "paint Mumbra green” has sparked off a controversy. However, later she clarified that her comments came off spontaneously as she was referring to the AIMIM flag which was green.

Sahar, who is just 22, has been elected from the Mumbra locality to the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), which neighbours Mumbai.

It may be mentioned, Mumbra comprises a Muslim-majority population.

Sahar is the daughter of Yunus Sheikh, a former close associate of Jitendra Awhad, a four-time MLA of the undivided NCP and the now Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) from the Mumbra-Kalwa seat.

The backdrop of the developments is the political rivalry between Yunus Shaikh vs Awhad.

Sahar was given a ticket by the Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM and she secured a win.

In the 131-member TMC, the AIMIM has won five seats.

"When the elections happen again after five years, my request to you is to paint Mumbra green in such a way that these people are defeated. After five years, every candidate should be from the AIMIM because the elections have shown the Majlis' strength. And we get this strength from Allah,” Sahar said in her victory speech.

However, as the speech went viral on social media platforms, there was immediate backlash and debate.

However, later Sahar issued a clarification. “We are speaking of green colour, because the colour of my (party) flag is green. Had the colour of my flag been orange or saffron, I would have promoted it... This was party-level politics, but the opposition turned it into communal politics. This has nothing to do with community... Does everyone have a stake in a colour? People should stop with their communal politics... I am secular and what I meant was that I want to win all 25 seats of Mumbra,” she said.

Reacting to the development, AIMIM national spokesperson and former MLA Waris Pathan said that the speech was made in excitement.

“This is the victory of development and people's trust... The BJP people always say that if we win, we will make everything saffron... This is an atmosphere of happiness, and they said it in excitement. When the BJP people say so much, no one questions them. This is an atmosphere of happiness, so let it remain one of happiness,” said Pathan.

Criticising her, Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC said: “Sahar Shaikh should clarify whether you are talking about the environment, where you want a green and clean environment. If that is the case, then your statement is acceptable. But if you are dividing people on the basis of religion, caste, and culture, then it is very unfortunate. When (AIMIM chief) Asaduddin Owaisi comes to Mumbai, he talks about development, but here you are engaging in politics of appeasement."