The Shiv Sena Telangana unit chief TN Murari approached the Delhi High Court on Tuesday and appealed to quash the registration of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Musalimeen (AIMIM) party. Murari alleged that the AIMIM party was undemocratic, as it had been appealing to only a particular community.
The petition filed on his behalf by advocates Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain under Article 226 of the Constitution of India also seeks to set aside an Election Commission order granting recognition to AIMIM as a State level party in Telangana, according to Bar and Bench.
Murari has submitted that AIMIM’s constitution and working are opposed to the concept of secularism as mandated under Section 29-A (5) of the Representation of People Act,1951 (Act).
Speaking to TNM, he said, “AIMIM is involved in consolidating votes of a particular community which is a threat to democracy. Under the principles of secularism, the politics of AIMIM cannot be allowed. It is not eligible to be a political party as they appeal to only a religious group and seek votes from them. How can that be allowed? Their party was also formed to unify Muslims. Our constitution envisages that all communities should be together.”
Murari said that the decision to approach the court was taken after consulting with the top leaders.
“Their (AIMIM) politics are opposed to the very fundamentals of secularism. They are a threat to India’s democracy, hence action should be taken against them. Such communal politics should be weeded out,” he said.
Referring to Asaduddin Owaisi he said, “As the office bearers themselves are involved in making communal speeches and pitting one community against the other, we have approached the court.”
The petition notes that AIMIM was founded as a political party in the year 1958 “on the same lines and thinking on which Muslim League was formed”, which “forced the formation of Pakistan by way of partition of mother India,” Bar and Bench reported.