All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musalmeen’s (AIMIM) grand plan to make a foray into Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Thane Municipal Corporation election has received a bolw as the State Elec
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musalmeen’s (AIMIM) grand plan to make a foray into Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Thane Municipal Corporation election has received a bolw as the State Election Commission de-registered it on Wednesday. MIM as well as other 190 parties were de-registered as they failed to submit income tax returns within the stipulated time. According to political observers, though AIMIM could still contest the civic poll, the loss of its official party symbol will affect its performance. Meanwhile, MIM MLA Waris Pathan said that the party would appeal the Commission’s decision.
The State Election Commission of Maharashtra’s (SECM) list of 191 de-registered political parties includes 12 major unrecognised political parties from the state and across the country. In a statement issued by SECM, election commissioner J.S. Sahariya stated that despite reminding the parties to submit their audited accounts and income tax returns, they did not submit the same. The development means that MIM may not be able to field candidates on its party symbol. However, the candidates can contest as Independent candidates who will be allocated any of the free symbols.
MIM MLA, advocate Waris Pathan said, “The party received notice four months ago from the Election Commission and the party has replied to it. Now we will appeal (against) the decision to a higher authority,” said Mr Pathan.
The MIM was planning to contest the ensuing 2017 civic elections in the Mumbai and Thane municipal corporations.
Mr Sahariya stated that as per rules, political parties registered with it have to annually submit their audited accounts and filed IT returns.
There are 359 political parties registered with the SECM, which includes 17 recognised national political parties. The rest 342 political parties are unrecognised political parties. The SECM had in stages sent notices to 326 such unrecognised parties. However, 191 of them failed to submit any papers, forcing the SECM to de-register them.
