Congress, JD(S) fight for the Muslim vote
A known devil is better than an unknown angel. The Congress is a lesser evil as compared to other political parties
SYED ALHAMIR, Bengaluru resident
BENGALURU: They number around 16% of the state’s 64 million population. And, as the battle for Karnataka heats up, two political parties are fighting to claim the Muslim community as a loyal vote bank.
The Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) have fielded 15 and 17 Muslim candidates, respectively for the May 12 polls.of the 224 assembly seats, Muslims could influence the outcome in at least 65 of them, say experts.
There has been frenzied poll activity in many Muslim-majority areas in the past few weeks as imams in mosques across Karnataka after Friday prayers urged their followers to not only exercise their franchise in large numbers but also ensure their vote is not divided and goes to a political party which gives them a “sense of security”. Besides, many private organisations have launched social media platforms to create awareness among the Muslims and the need to vote en-bloc: Their common objective is to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has not nominated a single Muslim candidate.
While no broad trends are visible, many in Muslim community say they might end up voting for the Congress as the JD(S) is perceived to be “close” to the BJP.
“A known devil is better than an unknown angel. The Congress is a lesser evil as compared to other parties,” Syed Alhamir, a resident of Tilak Nagar in state capital Bengaluru, said.
He insisted that many Muslims are apprehensive that the JD(S) could align with the BJP after the polls. Khalil-ur-rehman Subhani, who owns a furniture factory, agrees. “The JD(S) has done business with the BJP in the past. And there is no doubt that the two parties have a tacit understanding even at this time,” he said, sipping tea at his showroom in the city’s Infantry Road.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s praise of JD(S) founder Deve Gowda at a rally in Udupi on May 1 has strengthened that perception, said Syed Imitiyaz, a businessman. “Though the PM tried to do damage control the next day, the message had already gone to the voters,” said Abdul Subhan, who runs the Shaheen Group of Educational Institutions across Karnataka. “There exists a huge trust deficit between the Muslims and the JD(S) and such statements add fuel to the fire,” he added.
Political analysts suggest that Muslims are likely to vote strategically. “Though there is a broad Muslim consolidation behind the Congress, the community members might opt for JD(S) candidates in constituencies wherever they are in stronger position than the Congress contestants,” said Chandan Gowda of Bengalurubased Azim Premji University.
Former legislator Qazi Arshad Ali of Bidar agrees. “The options before the Muslims are limited. They might go for tactical voting but one thing is clear that they will support candidates who are in a position to defeat the BJP.”
To negate the perception that it might join hands with the BJP, the JD(S) has roped in the Bahujan Samaj Party and the All India Majlis-e-ittehadul Muslimeen headed by Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
“By praising Deve Gowda ji, who is the only Kannadiga to have been the prime minister, Modi wanted to make a point that Siddaramaiah had removed his portrait from the chief minister’s chamber and exploit that sentiment,” said senior JD(S) leader Kunwar Danish Ali.
Ali said the Congress leaders shouldn’t waste energy in trying to eliminate regional secular forces, and should fight “communal forces” instead. “Today, BJP is not in power only in states where there are strong regional forces. And it is in power in states where it is in direct fight with the Congress. It will be the JD(S) which will stop the BJP chariot in south Karnataka,” he said.
But Karnataka Congress leader Shakir Snadi said Muslims have often reposed their trust in the grand old party because of its commitment to secularism. “They know the importance of the concept of secularism and the Congress’s efforts to protect it.”
The BJP accused the Congress of playing vote-bank politics while neglecting the development needs of the community.
“Muslim have seen through the Congress’ design and will vote in this election on the basis of governance concern and not pander to the communal overtone of the Congress’ campaign,” said party spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member GVL Narasimha Rao.
Muslim representation in Karnatak assembly has declined since 1978, when they had the highest representation with 16 MLAS. In the outgoing assembly, there are nine Muslim MLAS, while the lowest (two) was in 1983.