Shaheen Bagh defeats BJP; AAP leader says, “Current laga diya!”

With AAP leader from Okhla assembly seat, Amanatullah Khan leading by more than 70,000 votes over his closest rival, the BJP’s Braham Singh, it has become evident that Shaheen Bagh has defeated the BJP which tried to make a “choice between India and Pakistan”.

Referring to former BJP president Amit Shah’s recent advice to the people of Delhi, Khan while talking to the media said, “Okhla ki janta ne current laga diya, (the people of Okhla have given an electric shock)”.

Khan was also quoted as saying by the media that it was payback time for the deluge of hate speeches against anti-CAA protesters.

Shaheen Bagh, the epicentre of anti-CAA protests, and the Jamia Millia Islamia — another major protest hub — come under Ohkla assembly seats.

It may be recalled that in a recent rally, former BJP chief and Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Press the button with such anger that the current is felt at Shaheen Bagh,” making the anti-citizenship law protests front and centre of the BJP’s campaign.

The comment, and others like it, had led AAP to accuse the BJP of driving a polarising campaign.

A number of BJP leaders from UP CM Yogi Adityanath to Union Minister Anurag Thakur, had suggested the use of bullets against “traitors” and “terrorists” during the campaign.

Senior editor of a reputed English daily said BJP’s polarisation bid failed miserably and people of Saheen Bagh showed the path.

“It will have ripple effect in country’s politics. After Delhi, Bihar and West Bengal will go to polls,” he said.

According to analysts, BJP leaders branding Kejriwal as a terrorist and over emphasis on Shaheen Bagh and biryani etc backfired.

It is worth recalling that on Feb 1, a 25-year-old man fired in the air at Shaheen Bagh, shouting “Jai Sri Ram”. The police later claimed he was a member of Aam Aadmi Party.

Two days before that, on January 30, a 17-year-old school student from Uttar Pradesh had fired from a crude pistol at unarmed protesters at Jamia Millia University, with dozens of policemen watching.