Nov 23, 2024 01:32 PM IST
Ajaz Khan, a well-known actor who boasts over 5.6 million followers on Instagram, has surprisingly garnered a mere 103 votes in the ongoing Maharashtra assembly election.
Former Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan is campaigning from the Versova constituency, where reports indicate he has struggled to accumulate even triple-digit votes, highlighting a stark contrast to his substantial social media fanbase. With 5.6 million followers on Instagram, it is astonishing that Khan has only managed to secure 103 votes up to this point.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT candidate Haroon Khan leads the race in Versova, amassing an impressive 46,619 votes, according to the official Election Commission figures. In a shocking twist, Ajaz Khan is trailing behind the NOTA (None Of The Above) option, which has attracted 747 votes within the Versova constituency. The overall voter turnout in this area reached 51.2%, indicating a significant level of engagement among residents.
The striking irony of a popular figure like Khan—who commands a massive Instagram following yet receives only 103 votes—has sparked a wave of commentary and humor across social media platforms.
Take a look at some jokes below:
“Ajaz Khan who has 5.6 million followers on Instagram got 79 votes. When you realise 16 year olds cannot vote in State Elections unlike Bigg Boss evictions,” wrote X user Sagar, highlighting the disparity between social media popularity and electoral success.
Some unverified claims even suggested that his own family members did not cast their votes for him, adding a layer of intrigue to the election results.
“NOTA got more votes than Bigg Bossiya Ajaz Khan,” read another post on X, a statement that further emphasizes the actor’s poor electoral performance.
A total of 16 candidates are contesting from the Versova seat, which has a historical reputation as an Indian National Congress (INC) stronghold.
Ajaz Khan is running for a seat in the Maharashtra assembly on behalf of the Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram). Originally from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Khan is a familiar face in Indian television, known for his roles in acclaimed series such as Diya Aur Baati Hum and Karam Apnaa Apnaa. Additionally, he has made appearances in films including Rakta Charitra and Allah Ke Banday.
(Also read: With Mahayuti set to take Maharashtra, ‘disappointed resort owner’ jokes amuse voters)
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What lessons can aspiring political candidates learn from Ajaz Khan’s unexpected electoral outcome despite his vast social media following?
### Interview with Political Analyst about Ajaz Khan’s Election Performance
**Host:** Welcome back to our program. Today, we’re diving into an intriguing development from the Maharashtra Assembly Elections, particularly regarding actor Ajaz Khan. Despite boasting over 5.6 million Instagram followers, he has only managed to collect 103 votes in the Versova constituency. Joining us to discuss this shocking outcome is political analyst Anjali Desai. Anjali, thank you for being here.
**Anjali Desai:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s get right into it. Ajaz Khan has a significant social media presence. What does this stark contrast between his online popularity and actual voting numbers indicate about voter behavior?
**Anjali Desai:** Well, it certainly raises questions about the effectiveness of social media influence in real-world politics. Ajaz Khan’s followers may appreciate his entertainment persona, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into political support. Voters are looking for candidates who resonate with their local issues and can address their concerns effectively.
**Host:** That’s a great point. His campaign had a lot of visibility, yet he seems to be trailing significantly behind candidates like Haroon Khan from Shiv Sena UBT, who has garnered over 46,000 votes. What factors do you think contributed to this disparity?
**Anjali Desai:** It’s multi-faceted. Firstly, the credibility of the candidate matters. While Ajaz Khan is a familiar face, voters often trust politicians with a proven track record in governance or social causes. Moreover, local issues such as infrastructure, education, and employment play a crucial role in determining voting decisions. If Ajaz’s campaign didn’t address these effectively, it’s no surprise he fell short at the ballot box.
**Host:** Interesting insight. There has also been online chatter and trolling regarding his performance. How impactful do you think this negative attention has been?
**Anjali Desai:** Social media can amplify both support and criticism. Trolling can harm a candidate’s image, especially if it feeds into existing narratives of ineffectiveness. For a candidate like Ajaz Khan, who comes from a non-political background, the mockery could overshadow his campaign efforts, making it even harder to rally genuine support.
**Host:** Given these developments, what does this mean for Ajaz Khan’s future in politics?
**Anjali Desai:** It’s certainly a challenging start for him. Political aspirations require resilience and the ability to connect with voters on a deeper level than just celebrity status. If he wishes to remain in the political arena, he will need to regroup, understand the electorate better, and craft his message more effectively for future endeavors.
**Host:** Thank you, Anjali, for your valuable insights. It’s clear Ajaz Khan’s experience in this election could serve as a significant lesson about the complexities of blending celebrity status with political ambition.
**Anjali Desai:** Absolutely, it will be interesting to see how he responds to this experience.
**Host:** Thank you for tuning in. We’ll continue to monitor the results and implications of this election. Stay with us for more updates.