In a jolt to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Maharashtra State Election Commission barred the party from contesting local body elections along with 190 smaller outfits for failure to submit Income Tax returns and audited accounts, ahead of a string of civic polls including the Mumbai city corporation.
Known for its controversial stance on a host of issues including the allegations against Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, the SEC’s decision came when AIMIM is gearing up to put up a good showing in the Greater Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, due early next year.
AIMIM expanded its influence to Maharashtra in 2014 Assembly polls by winning two seats, one in Mumbai and another in Aurangabad.
