The Maharashtra State Election Commission (MSEC) on Wednesday cancelled the registration of 191 political parties, including that of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), resulting in these parties becoming ineligible for contesting elections at any level in the state.
The Akbaruddin Owaisi-led AIMIM, of which Asaduddin Owaisi is also a part, was deregistered because it did not file its income tax and audit documents in time. Non-recognised parties are supposed to file these with the state election commissions every year, an MSEC spokesperson told International Business Times, India.
It may be noted here that the AIMIM has two legislators in the Maharashtra Assembly, and given this decision, their future is uncertain, and may depend on the local law.
A Press Trust of India (PTI) report quoted state election commissioner JS Saharia as saying that the other parties that lost their registration included the Khobragade faction of the Republican Party of India.
"So far, 359 political parties have been registered with the commission. Of these, 17 are recognised parties," he was quoted as saying by PTI.
Meanwhile, AIMIM lawmaker from Aurangabaad Imtiaz Jaleel told NDTV: "This is simply shocking. We have submitted income tax returns for the past three years and all other relevant documents. We suspect there was political pressure
Asaduddin Owaisi said the party would abide by the MSEC decision, and follow the rules of appeal in this regard. He also admitted that there had been some lapses on their part.
