Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: AAP’s Amanatullah Khan secures third term in Okhla despite controversies

Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Amanatullah Khan has secured a third consecutive term from the Okhla constituency, winning with an impressive 88,943 votes. His victory comes despite controversies surrounding the Delhi Waqf Board, reaffirming his stronghold in the area.

Khan clinched the seat with a margin of 23,639 votes, marking another triumph for AAP in the constituency.

A four-way contest

Khan faced competition from Congress’ Ariba Khan, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Manish Chaudhary, and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s (AIMIM) Shifa-ur Rahman. Rahman, currently in jail, was granted custody parole for campaigning from January 30 to February 3.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Chaudhary secured 65,304 votes, while Rahman trailed with 39,558, and Ariba Khan finished with 12,739 votes.

Khan’s response to the victory

Following the 22nd round of counting, Amanatullah Khan expressed gratitude to his supporters while acknowledging the setbacks faced by his party.

“I would like to thank the people for supporting me, and I will fulfil the promises that I’ve made. However, I am saddened because of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia’s loss,” he told the media.

Owaisi’s attack on Khan

While campaigning for his party, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi criticised Khan, calling him a “dealer” rather than a leader.

“The people of Okhla need to understand that the person Kejriwal made MLA here is not a leader, he is a dealer. He is not a leader; if anyone becomes a leader, it will be Shifa, Insha’Allah. When it comes to the law of talaq, Kejriwal’s tongue goes silent when there is talk about the UCC. When the Delhi government Waqf committee was to be formed, he went mute. The dealer has no voice. When does the dealer get a voice? Only when lintel (a roof before concrete) is put, and then his blood-sucking gang comes in and files complaints,” he said.

Okhla: A growing but troubled constituency

Okhla, one of Delhi’s 70 assembly constituencies, has an electorate of 3,79,509 voters, making it the fifth-largest in numerical terms after Bawana, Matiala, Burari, and Vikaspuri. Political parties estimate that the key voter demographics in Okhla include Muslims (45%), Scheduled Castes (10%), Gujjars (15%), Other Backward Classes (OBC) (12%), and Punjabis (6%), among others.

The constituency spans five municipal wards: Zakir Nagar, Abul Fazal Enclave, Sarita Vihar, Madanpur Khadar East, and Madanpur Khadar West.

Originally a village, Okhla began urbanising in 1935 with the relocation of Jamia Millia Islamia from Karol Bagh. Over the decades, the area has evolved into a diverse mix of industrial, commercial, educational, and residential zones. Key localities in Okhla include Zakir Nagar, Batla House, Abul Fazal Enclave, Okhla Head, Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Johri Farm, Ghaffar Manzil, and the Jamia Millia Islamia campus. The constituency also includes some upscale areas, such as parts of New Friends Colony, Sarita Vihar, and Kalindi.

Urbanisation and civic challenges

During the early 1970s, as Delhi experienced rapid urbanisation, Jamia Nagar became a hub for migrants, particularly those drawn by Jamia Millia Islamia and its faculty. The university remains a central institution in the region. However, unplanned urbanisation and the growth of unauthorised colonies have led to a significant population surge over the past two decades. The number of voters has nearly doubled, rising from 2,09,643 in 2008 to approximately 3,80,000 in 2025.

Located just a few kilometres from Nehru Place, the entry to the Okhla constituency is marked by potholed roads and piles of garbage. Residents cite numerous pressing issues, including acute water shortages during summer, a failing sewage system, deteriorating roads, and illegal encroachments exacerbating congestion in this densely populated part of the Capital.

Residents speak out on key issues

Localities such as Haji Colony, Jasola Village, Johari Farms, and Shaheen Bagh are particularly affected by water shortages. Shaukat, a resident of Haji Colony, said the problem has persisted for two decades with no resolution in sight.

“Pipelines have been laid, but the supply remains erratic. As summer approaches, the situation worsens. Last year, we faced a severe crisis for ten consecutive days,” he said.

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Mohammed Arif, a 45-year-old shopkeeper from Shaheen Bagh, highlighted the poor road conditions.

“Even the main market road was dug up for sewage work and was only recently repaired. Inner lanes remain in disrepair. During the last monsoon, walking on the main road was nearly impossible,” he said.

Jamia Nagar’s narrow lanes also suffer from severe parking problems, with most vehicles parked along the roadside due to the absence of a designated parking lot.

Rekha Shekhawat, a resident of New Friends Colony, pointed out five major issues plaguing the area: deteriorating stormwater drainage leading to waterlogging, outdated sewage lines prone to frequent overflows, the need for better regulation of street vendors from nearby villages, four overflowing dhalaos, and a lack of proper connectivity to peripheral arterial roads.

“The drainage and sewage systems were built in the 1970s and are no longer sufficient for the current population. The population of four surrounding villages has grown tenfold, adding to issues like haphazard parking and unregulated vending. We need immediate upgrades and improved road connectivity,” she said, hoping that the newly elected MLA will address these challenges as a priorit