| Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra | |
|---|---|
|
[[File:|250x250px|frameless|center]] | |
| Abbreviation | ISLAM |
| President | Shaikh Aasif Shaikh Rashid |
| Founder | Shaikh Aasif Shaikh Rashid |
| General Secretary | |
| Working President | |
The Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra (abbreviated as ISLAM) is a regional political party based in Malegaon, in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, India. It emerged as a significant political force in the 2026 Malegaon Municipal Corporation elections by becoming the single largest party in the civic body.[1]Template:AI-retrieved sourceTemplate:AI-retrieved source
History
The party was founded in October 2024 by Shaikh Aasif, a former Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly representing the Malegaon Central constituency. Shaikh had previously been a member of both the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party before launching this new party for the 2024–25 election cycle.[2]
The party's full name — Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra — reflects its stated emphasis on secular principles and broad representation.[3]
Ideology and position
While the name suggests an emphasis on secularism and inclusion, political commentators note that the party's appeal in its home base of Malegaon is deeply tied to local socio-religious dynamics and identity politics, particularly in a city with a large Muslim population.[3]
Electoral performance
2026 Malegaon Municipal Corporation elections
In the 15 January 2026 civic polls, the ISLAM party made its electoral debut and became the single largest party in the 84-member Malegaon Municipal Corporation by winning 35 seats out of 84. It ended decades-long dominance of the Congress in the civic body, though it fell short of the 43-seat majority.[4]
| Election Year | Seats contested | Seats won | ± in seats | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malegaon Municipal Corporation Election | ||||
| 2026 Template:Small |
-- | Template:Composition bar | Template:Increase 35 | |
The party formed an alliance with the Samajwadi Party, called the Malegaon Secular Front, which together won 40 seats, three short of the majority mark; other parties like AIMIM and Shiv Sena also won significant numbers of seats.
See also
References
- ↑ Maharashtra local body polls: ISLAM party ends Congress dominance in Malegaon; gets 35 seats. The Times of India(2026-01-17). Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ↑ Ex-MLA from Malegaon Central forms new ISLAM party. The Times of India(2024-10-21). Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 What is ISLAM party in Maharashtra? New outfit built on old networks rises to the top in Malegaon. The Indian Express(2026-01-18). Retrieved 2026-02-17.
- ↑ Maharashtra local body polls: ISLAM party ends Congress dominance in Malegaon; gets 35 seats. The Times of India(2026-01-17). Retrieved 2026-02-17.