Former Aurangabad MP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Imtiaz Jaleel was attacked by an angry mob while campaigning for the municipal polls in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Wednesday, January 7.
The incident occurred in the Baijipura Jinsi area, where Jaleel was travelling in his vehicle as part of his campaign. According to police and party sources, people carrying black flags threw eggs at his car and attempted to block the vehicle.
A scuffle broke out between the crowd and AIMIM workers accompanying Jaleel.
An MIM worker was reportedly injured while trying to protect the leader during the attack.
Police personnel deployed in the area intervened to control the situation and resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the two sides. The situation was later brought under control, officials said.
AIMIM leaders accused Congress candidate Kaleem Qureshi of orchestrating the attack. They also alleged that BJP ministers Atul Save and Sanjay Shirsat were involved.
Jaleel’s party claimed they had anticipated trouble and informed the police in advance, but alleged that adequate security arrangements were not made.
Also Read | Congress and AIMIM Move Supreme Court to Block Waqf Amendment Bill
However, Kaleem Qureshi rejected the allegations and countered that Jaleel had staged the incident himself to “gain sympathy and followers.”
BJP leader Sanjay Shirsat also dismissed AIMIM’s claims, saying the accusations were baseless. He challenged that he would quit politics if the allegations against him were proven true.
In the aftermath of the clashes, police have deployed heavy security in the area to prevent further unrest. Authorities said they are reviewing the incident and will take action based on available evidence.
