10 August,2016 06:43 AM IST | | A Correspondent
The parties had their registration suspended over failure to provide details of I-T returns and audited accounts
The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) yesterday gave the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) permission to contest the upcoming BMC polls, months after its registration was suspended for their failure to provide details of income tax returns and audited accounts. Apart from the Asaduddin Owaisi-led party, the SEC also restored the registrations of 190 smaller parties and local fronts including Amalner Aghadi, which stood suspended due to the same reason.
A major stakeholder in the February 2017 civic body polls, registration of Hyderabad-based political party AIMIM was suspended in April this year. As per set rules, the parties paid a fine and were allowed to submit the required documents.
"I understand that there is deep sorrow in the Opposition parties, who had celebrated my party's deregistration. We had faith in the SEC, which set aside its earlier order after we rectified minor lapses," said Waris Pathan, AIMIM MLA, Byculla.
Pathan added that they would work hard for the upcoming civic and local self-government polls in Mumbai and other cities.
"Our work is our identity. We work for developing minorities and Dalits," he said.
The Republican Party of India (Athawale) deregistered last year due to the same reason has also been given a reprieve. Party president Ramdas Athawale is planning to contest the BMC polls with ally BJP.
