Karnataka - Bangalore   

Strong Muslim support base for Congress

Bangalore: Muslim voters constitute between 13 to 14 per cent of Bangalore’s population and their numbers will play an important role in several constituencies in the city. Of the 28 constituencies in Bangalore city, Muslims form between 20 and 50 per cent of the voters in seven constituencies, 10 to 20 per cent in six, and five to 10 per cent in 12 constituencies.

Shahid Mohsin, an independent observer, said that Muslim voters have two issues in mind. “They are trying to consolidate their votes against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and they are concerned about development and infrastructure issues in the city.” He said that there was an increased awareness that Muslims need to consolidate their votes in order to defeat the BJP. G. Iqbal Ahmed Qureshi, president of the Karnataka Mutton Merchants Jamiat-ul-Quraysh Association, said, “Two years ago, Praveen Togadia promised that the BJP will make Karnataka a second Gujarat. We have to make sure that they don’t come to power.” Mr. Qureshi was confident of a Congress victory in the elections. “Muslim organisations representing the clergy have been canvassing for secular candidates,” said Rizwanulla Khan, a former journalist in Bangalore. This seems to be working in favour of the Congress as there is a general perception that the party is the secular alternative to the Janata Dal (Secular) except in a few constituencies. Karimullah Shariff, president of the Jewellers Street Association, said that all Muslims would be voting for the Congress because of its strong track record of identifying with the common Muslim. Muslim Congress leaders like Sageer Ahmed, Roshan Baig and C.M. Ibrahim had built strong rapport among Muslims in Bangalore. Mr. Baig said that Muslims across the State were with the Congress. Abdul Azeem, JD(S), MLC, disagreed and said 75 per cent of Muslims were with the JD(S).

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