New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress) In the midst of a frenzied campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections, numerous prominent candidates from various parties have submitted their nominations in the final stretch. As the city gears up for a high-stakes electoral showdown across nearly all constituencies, the Mustafabad seat, home to approximately 40 percent Muslim residents, has become a significant battleground.

The contest is particularly intriguing as the BJP has nominated its five-time MLA Mukesh Bisht from this constituency, who will compete against three Muslim candidates from different parties. He will be challenging AAP's Adil Ahmad Khan, Congress's Ali Mehndi, and AIMIM's Tahir Hussain, the individual accused in the 2020 Delhi riots who filed his nomination on Thursday.

Mohan Singh Bisht has represented the Karawal Nagar seat for five terms since 1998.

He was chosen to run from Mustafabad as the party selected Kapil Mishra for the Karawal Nagar seat.

Mustafabad, a densely populated region with nearly 40 percent of its population being Muslim, will be closely monitored by analysts and pollsters, as AAP, Congress, and AIMIM have all fielded candidates aiming for minority votes.

Some believe that Mukesh Bisht has been 'sacrificed' by the BJP; however, party insiders contend that the division of votes within the minority community could actually favor the BJP.

It is widely believed that the Muslim demographic could significantly influence the outcome in at least six of the 70 Assembly constituencies in Delhi.

In places like Mustafabad (40 percent), Ballimaran (38 percent), Babarpur (35 percent), Okhla (43 percent), and Matia Mahal (48 percent), minority votes are crucial as they are expected to vote collectively for any party.

In 2020, AAP won all these constituencies.

The Mustafabad Assembly constituency encompasses areas such as Ghazipur, Jhilmil, parts of Kashmir Gate, Vijay Vihar, and Ghazipur Village. Previously known as Karawal Nagar, it was renamed Mustafabad after delimitation.

Tahir Hussain, a former AAP councillor and the principal suspect in the 2020 Delhi riots, received custody parole from Delhi's Karkardooma Court to submit his nomination on Thursday.

On that day, Hussain was escorted by Delhi Police to the DM office in Nandnagri to file his nomination papers.

After filing his nomination, Mohan Singh Bisht expressed confidence in his chances of winning. He stated, 'Today, I filed my nomination and appealed to the residents of Mustafabad. From 1998 to 2018, you entrusted me as your representative. During that time, I focused on development, established schools and parks, and implemented various projects.'

Regarding Hussain's nomination, Bisht remarked, 'It is his party's decision. Everyone is entitled to contest elections. The choice lies with the people, whether it concerns Tahir Hussain or any other candidate.'

AAP's Adil Ahmad Khan, who also filed his nomination, pledged to transform Mustafabad into a well-educated, developed, and secure constituency. He mentioned, 'I am here today with the affection, support, and prayers of Mustafabad’s residents. I am determined to ensure that the vision of Arvind Kejriwal's development model reaches every part of the constituency. The public stands with me, and together we will enhance Mustafabad.'

Commenting on Hussain's candidacy, Khan added, 'This is a democracy, and everyone has the right to run for office. I wish him the best of luck.'

With a variety of candidates and complex political dynamics, Mustafabad is poised to experience a fierce electoral battle in the upcoming elections.