Fahad Ahmad, known for his political activism and as the husband of actress Swara Bhasker, faced defeat in his first attempt at the Maharashtra Assembly elections, losing the Anushakti Nagar seat to Sana Malik, the daughter of veteran politician Nawab Malik. The loss was by a margin of 3,300 votes, and it marked a significant moment for Ahmad, who had entered the political arena as part of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after formerly being associated with the Samajwadi Party.
Post-election, emotional responses have flowed from both Fahad and Swara, who took to social media to express their feelings about the results. Fahad’s heartfelt note to his wife highlighted both their personal connection and his commitment to political service. He wrote, "Thanks, love for everything. I promise you I will never bow down against the hatred and will always fight for good, will contribute as good opposition leader to make my constituency a safer and more vibrant place to live." This sentiment reflected his determination to continue fighting for the issues he believes the public should be concerned with.
Despite the disappointment, both Fahad and Swara emphasized optimism and resilience. Swara shared on her social media, "We fought tooth and nail in this David-Goliath battle," acknowledging the steep competition they faced during the election. She praised her husband for securing over 45,000 votes, proclaiming it as no small feat considering the political climate and the heavy norms often present during election campaigns.
Fahad’s political background is notable; he completed his education at Aligarh Muslim University and was actively involved in student politics, including participating in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). His remarkable entry as the NCP candidate was marked by his activism and commitment to progressive politics.
But the defeat took on another layer when the couple alleged irregularities during the vote counting process. After what appeared to be a solid lead for Fahad early on—he had led for the first 17 rounds of counting—dramatic changes occurred as rounds 18 and 19 tilted the results against him. Swara questioned the integrity of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which added fuel to the frustration of their defeat. Her query about the voting machines displayed the couple's broader concerns for electoral clarity and fairness, as she highlighted, "How can machines voted on ALL day long have 99% charged batteries?"
The couple's response to these events not only showcases their emotional state during this challenging period but also exemplifies the often tumultuous nature of political engagements, especially for candidates making their first serious plays for office.
Despite the results, Fahad remains committed and has even demanded recounts, expressing to the Election Commission his concerns over the vote tallying process, leading with the assertion, "This is rank manipulation. We demand recounts of rounds 16, 17, 18, and 19.” His protest reflects the potential for legal challenges typical of tightly contested elections.
Swara, known for her outspoken views on various social issues, has also backed her husband's claims on EVM inconsistencies, which echoes sentiments voiced by numerous political allies and fellow candidates. The couple’s relationship is underscored by mutual support – they’ve navigated this election as partners, strategizing and campaigning together.
At its core, this election defeat has displayed the vulnerability of political ambitions and the intense scrutiny under which these candidates operate. From calls for electoral integrity to heartfelt notes of gratitude, the saga of Fahad Ahmad and Swara Bhasker's electoral campaign resonates with the emotional rollercoaster many candidates face when they venture to represent their constituents.
While they may not have achieved victory this time, both Fahad and Swara remain undeterred, with Fahad asserting his intention to serve as a vocal opposition leader moving forward. His drive to be engaged within the community continues, as he vows to uphold the commitments he made to his supporters and to advocate seriously for improvements within Anushakti Nagar.
Supporters are encouraged by his resilience, and many members of their political camp stand firm alongside them, promising to continue solidarity as they address the issues affecting their constituents. All eyes will be on Fahad Ahmad to see if this setback will serve as motivation or place him at path for future endeavors.
