AIMIM Corporator Sahar Shaikh Clarifies 'Paint Mumbra Green' as Party Colour Reference

AIMIM corporator Sahar Yunus Shaikh has clarified her controversial “paint Mumbra green” remark after it triggered sharp political reactions across party lines. The 22-year-old leader said her statement was misinterpreted and insisted that her comments were linked only to her party’s flag colour, not to any communal intent.

Shaikh’s clarification came amid mounting criticism from leaders of several political parties, who accused her of attempting to communalise the political discourse in the Muslim-majority suburb of Mumbra. The controversy erupted soon after the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) won five seats in the Thane Municipal Corporation elections from the area.

Explaining her remarks, Shaikh said that references to the colour green were purely symbolic of her party’s identity. “If my flag was orange, I would have used that colour instead,” she said, asserting that her political focus remains on development and upliftment rather than religious or communal divisions.

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The backlash stemmed from Shaikh’s victory speech, delivered in Hindi, in which she urged supporters to “paint Mumbra green” in the next elections and expressed confidence in AIMIM’s growing strength. In the same speech, she also credited the party’s success to divine blessings, further fuelling criticism from rival parties.

Opposition leaders alleged that the speech sought to polarise voters and introduce religious undertones into local governance. They argued that civic elections should centre on development, infrastructure, and public services rather than identity-based appeals.

Responding to the criticism, Shaikh reiterated that her intention was to motivate party workers and voters by highlighting AIMIM’s organisational growth. She maintained that her politics are rooted in development, social justice, and addressing civic issues affecting Mumbra’s residents.

The episode has once again highlighted the sensitivities surrounding political rhetoric in municipal politics, particularly in diverse urban constituencies. As the debate continues, attention remains on how parties balance symbolic messaging with inclusive governance in local bodies.

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