By M. Zajam and Kashif-ul-Huda for TwoCircles.net
On the face of it, Muslims have been able to maintain the status-quo in the new assembly of Maharashtra but scratch the surface and witness the emergence of a community gaining political strength.
Outgoing Maharashtra assembly had 11 Muslim MLAs, and the latest election also returned 11 Muslim MLAs. The 2009 result saw 5 Muslim candidates coming second, three of those with a margin of less than 10,000 votes. In 2004 elections, 7 Muslim candidates ended up runner-ups and four of these with less than 10,000 votes. So, if we include runner-ups in our analysis it seems Muslims in Maharashtra have lost some political ground.
In 2004 elections all Muslim MLAs belonged to either the Congress (INC) or its ally, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Between 2004 and 2009, Muslims of Maharashtra saw multiple anti-Muslim violence, fake encounters, and arrests of Muslim youth after terrorist attacks. Muslims felt helpless and lacked security while the ruling alliance which got overwhelming Muslim votes in 2004 elections did nothing to protect them.
Increasing incidence of communal riots saw many Muslim corporators of both INC and NCP resigning from their positions. This grass root revolt against the ruling parties by the Muslims of the state saw more than hundred Muslim party officials quitting their party positions or elected seats but none of the MLAs joined cause with them.
2009 election has returned same number of Muslim MLAs as the last assembly but with a major difference that 4 out 11 belong to non-INC and non-NCP parties. Three of the four seats are of Samajwadi Party (SP) of which two seats won by SP state chief Abu Asim Azmi and one by Mufti Mohammad Ismail who contested on Jan Surajya Shakti party ticket.
Mufti Ismail celebrating his victory in Malegaon. [Photo: Mubasshir Mushtaq]
Mufit Ismail represents the increasing loud voice of Muslims’ frustration with Congress inaction when it comes to Muslim issues. He came to the limelight by winning the Malegaon municipal election after forming his own political party. His lead of around 18,000 this election gives indication of strong Muslim resentment against Congress-NCP government.
For Congress, Minster of State Baba Siddique won a third term as MLA from Vandre West in a close fight. Young Municipal Councillor, Aslam Shaikh won Malad West defeating R. U. Singh of BJP. In Mumbadevi where Muslms form 50% population, Amin Patel had an easy ride.
Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan, the first Muslim to be Minister of State for Home (Urban) of Maharashtra since the state came into existence in 1960 was contesting from Chandivali. Two-time MLA from the Kurla assembly constituency, Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan came into light during the 1992-93 communal riots in Mumbai when he played a key role in setting the first peace committee in suburban Ghatkopur. Arif Naseem Khan defeated Dilip Bhausaheb of MNS by margin of 33.715 votes. In Silod, Abdul Sattar Abdul Nabi had maintained lead right from the beinging and sealed the victory with margin of 26,753 votes.
For NCP, Nawab Malik, Mushrif Hasan Miyalal won Anushakti Nagar and Kagal respectively.
The list of 174 candidates released by the Congress had 12 Muslim names while the NCP’s list of 113 candidates had four Muslims.
Though there are 10.6% Muslim in Maharashtra and about 48 constituencies with a significant Muslim presences only 11 Muslim candidates are able to win for the last two assembly elections but result this year provide strong evidence that Muslims are getting organized and gaining political strength on their own. Congress and other secular parties will get votes only if they had no choice. And choices they are getting- many Muslim led parties are moving in to Maharashtra – United Democratic Front (UDF), Rashtriya Ulema Council (RUC), and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) have made their entry in the state in recent months.
Message for the secular parties- listen to the community and deliver; Muslims can not be taken for a ride anymore. New INC-NCP government can start by implementing Sri Krishna Report, speeding trials in cases of fake encounters and arrests of Muslim youth on terror charges, controlling and punishing the guilty of communal riots.