Bhopal. After the demolition of Babri structure, in 1990, Arif Akil had contested for the first time from Bhopal North as an independent candidate and won by defeating BJP’s Ramesh Sharma Guttu Bhaiya by a margin of more than two and a half thousand votes. Akil contested the 1993 elections on Janata Dal ticket and lost the election to Ramesh Sharma Guttu Bhaiya by a margin of more than 9.5 thousand votes. This is the only defeat recorded in his account. After this he never lost an election. He defeated Ramesh Sharma Guttu Bhaiya in 1998, Rameshwar Sharma in 2003, Alok Sharma in 2008, Arif Baig in 2013 and Fatima Siddiqui in the 2018 elections. That is, BJP tried experiments in every election, but did not get even a single success. Bhopal North seat became synonymous with Arif Akil. This time Arif Akil is not contesting the elections. BJP has fielded Alok Sharma.
Party workers also want change this time
Alok lost the 2008 elections by a margin of about 4 thousand votes. This time is a good opportunity for them. As far as Congress is concerned, Arif Akil’s family is asking for tickets for his two sons Atif Akil and Majid Akil. Arif Aqeel’s brother Aamir Aqeel is also a contender. Arif himself wants a ticket for his middle son Atif, but Majid and Aamir are opposing him. On the other hand, Nasir Islam, who had contested an election from Bhopal Central, is also seeking ticket from North. He has organized many big programs in Bhopal North seat. The Congress leadership is also seriously considering his name. Party workers also want change this time. They do not want the ticket to be given to any member of Arif Akil’s family. Anyway, Arif had personal contact with the people. That is not the case with any other member of his family.
Elections will be held on the issue of development
Arif Akil of Congress was the MLA from Bhopal North for most of the time and was also a minister in the government, but nothing happened in the name of development here. Neither Akil did anything nor the BJP government. Due to this, schools and colleges of the area were closed. The condition of hospitals is pathetic. The condition of hospitals like Bhopal Memorial is bad. The court, RTO, Municipal Corporation shifted from there, but no alternative arrangement for employment was made. The condition of the roads is worse. Taj Mahal is being ignored. Attention was not paid to the flyover and multi parking was not arranged for Chowk Bazaar. Because of this, there is anti-incumbency against Arif Akil and also against the BJP government. These issues will arise in the elections.
muslim voter decider
Bhaepal North seat has the highest number of Muslim voters. However, some people say that the number of Hindu and Muslim voters here is almost equal. Among these, the number of Dalit voters is said to be around 14 thousand. Apart from this, there are also a large number of voters of Kayastha, Vaishya, Kevat and Bhoi. The special thing is that people live here in communal harmony. There has been no dispute here for a long time. It is said that Arif Akil has been winning elections here only by taking Hindu votes. Still, during elections there is a lot of polarization between Hindus and Muslims.
BJP’s strength
good, mature candidate
The biggest strength of BJP in Bhopal North is its candidate Alok Sharma. Are local and have been continuously active in this area. They had lost the 2008 elections by a small margin, but this time they may get the benefit of Arif Akil not being in the field. The organization of BJP exists in comparison to Congress. They can also get benefits from government schemes.
BJP’s weakness
lack of development
The weakness of BJP in Bhopal North is that the government did not pay attention to solving the fundamental problems there. There is no major work recorded in the account of Alok Sharma even during his tenure as Mayor. Since Congress has been winning here, the organization is not as strong here as in other areas. BJP may have to bear the loss due to this.
power of congress
Euphoria from consecutive wins
There is enthusiasm among Congress workers due to the victory of Congress in Bhopal North. He is confident that Congress will definitely win here. This enthusiasm of the workers is the biggest strength of the party. This time anti-incumbency is being seen against the BJP government. Congress can also benefit from this. However, this time the election will also depend on the candidate.
Congress’s weakness
absence of arif akeel
The biggest weakness of Congress on this seat is that the party does not have Arif Akil who has won continuously this time. There is no one in Akil’s family who has contacts like him. No one in his family even agrees on one person. In such a situation, Congress will have to select the candidate very thoughtfully. The only option visible is Nasir Islam.
absence of arif akeel
The biggest weakness of Congress on this seat is that the party does not have Arif Akil who has won continuously this time. There is no one in Akil’s family who has contacts like him. No one in his family even agrees on one person. In such a situation, Congress will have to select the candidate very thoughtfully. The only option visible is Nasir Islam.
major contenders
B J P
Alok declared from BJP
Considering it a laboratory, BJP kept changing candidates every time and this time has taken a decision out of the box. The party has again trusted former mayor Alok Sharma, who had contested the elections in 2008. His name has been declared in the first list of candidates itself. Alok may get the benefit of Arif Akil not being in the field. Bhopal North remains a challenge for the BJP. Alok has accepted this challenge.
Decision between Congress Nasir and Atif
Three people from Arif Akil family are seeking tickets from Bhopal North seat. These are Akil’s two sons Atif and Majid. The third name is that of his brother Aamir. Arif Aqeel is supporting Atif but the remaining two are against him. Apart from this, Nasir Islam is a strong contender. He has been working hard in the field for a long time. Nasir has attracted the attention of the party and the people by organizing many big programs in the area.
