By Andalib Akhter, TwoCircles.net,
Ghaziabad/New Delhi: The Ghaziabad parliamentary constituency in the vicinity of the national capital of Delhi has become hub of political activities these days. Not only is the political future of Rajnath Singh at stake here, but also of the BJP that he heads. Every contestants here are vying fro the Muslim votes, so do the BJP.
Muslims constitute nearly 25 percent of the total electorate in the constituency. Earlier the constituency was named as Hapur. Now it is named as Ghaziabad. Out of nearly 17 Lakh voters in the constituency Muslims are about four lakh. Their voting pattern could decide the future of either Rajnath Singh and Surendra Goel of Congress who is also a sitting MP.
Amar Pal Sharma who is BSP candidate here is also banking on the Muslim votes for his victory. Dalit constitute nearly 2.5 lak voters. The number voter of other caste varies between one lakh to two lakh. There are four Muslim independent candidates in the fray also.
Ghazibad has privilege of sending muslim MPs twice. Kunwar Mahmud Ali Khan was a Member of Sixth Lok Sabha from 1977 to 1979 from here. He won on Janta Party ticket. In 1980 another muslin Anwar Ahmad got elected from the constituency on Lok Dal ticket.
A visit to the whole constituency shows no where there is wind in favour of either Singh or the Congress candidate. Yet both are concerned over the mood of Muslims in the constituency.
Despite being the leader of the anti minority party Rajnath Singh is not leaving any chance to woo the Muslims here. In his speeches he assured the Muslims that it is the BJP that can give Muslims safety and security. “Congress uses Muslims only as vote bank” he said. Rajnath Singh is moving across the streets of the constituency and meeting Muslims overwhelmingly.
“Dalit, Muslim, Barhamin is united; Mayawati will be prime minister of the country”, is the BSP slogan here.
Congress is trying to attract Muslims showing the fear of BJP. “I am a local. I am available for our people 24 hours” says Surender Goel
Yet Common people are confused here as whom to vote. “Why should I cast my vote in favour of Rajnath Singh, he is neither candidate for Prime Minister or Deputy prime minister. Even for 2014 and 2019 Narnedra Modi is the PM candidate” says Parbhunath Singh of the Murad Nagar in the constituency.
Another drawback for the Rajnath Singh is that he is from eastern UP. There is also big divide of eastern UP and western UP.
However Muslim are keeping there option undisclosed. There is some resentment among them against congress party in the constituency. People are also angry that party has not given any ticket to Muslim candidate in and around national capital. In some constituencies Muslims have strong demand for Muslim candidates from the Congress but party did not heed them.
“We are not going to disclose our strategy right now. We will show in ballot machine” says Abid Ali of the Loni area of the constituency.