Blow to Asaduddin Owaisi as EC bars AIMIM from contesting civic polls in Mumbai

Owaisi's AIMIM banned for not filing audited accounts, tax returns.

Mumbai: The Election Commission officials on Wednesday barred Asaduddin Owaisi led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) from contesting Maharashtra local body elections for failing to submit tax returns and audited accounts. 

Owaisi's AIMIM has two members in the state Assembly.

According to reports, the state Election Commission in Maharashtra, which conducts local body polls, deregistered 191 local political parties including AIMIM over the issue. 

Speaking to media today, State Election Commissioner JS Saharia said, "Parties which lost their registration also includes RPI-Khobragade faction."

So far, 359 political parties have been registered with the Commission. Of these, 17 are recognised parties, he said.

"Notices were served to 326 parties for failure to submit necessary documents. Despite sending reminders to them and extending the deadline on request of some of them, they have allegedly failed to submit any documents," Saharia said.

"If the parties want to contest elections in Maharashtra, they have to register," he concluded by saying.

Meanwhile, according to News18 report, Owaisi will appeal against EC's order of cancelling registration of AIMIM and thus stopping the party from contesting Mumbai civil polls, due in February 2017.