Mariyam Usmani, TwoCircles.net
Mohammad Ibrahim (70), a resident of Batla House in Delhi’s Okhla assembly constituency is frustrated that a large majority of Muslims in the area continue to support the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – which is governing the national capital. Ibrahim’s sentiments reflect a larger shift in opinion despite the fact that Muslim votes had played a significant role in AAP’s landslide victory in previous Delhi Assembly elections. “The AAP has not contributed much to resolve our local issues and now they are stepping into the politics of ‘Mandir and Masjid’, like an ally of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party – which is at the helm of affairs in the Centre and is principal Opposition in the assembly). Muslims are feeling ditched somehow,” he says.
This sentiment echoes the growing disillusionment that many Muslim voters in constituencies like Okhla, Ballimaran, Babarpur and Shahdara now share as they prepare to head to the polls on February 5. Once hailed as a secular alternative to the more established parties in Delhi, the AAP has recently allegedly veered towards a soft-Hindutva platform, one that, people say, aligns more closely with the BJP’s majoritarian agenda. This has apparently led to a fracture in its support base, particularly among Muslim voters who once saw the AAP as a champion of their rights.
‘Shift Towards Hindutva’
AAP’s recent political moves have been particularly telling. The formation of a “Sanatan Sewa Samiti”, aimed at engaging Hindu religious figures, and the introduction of the “Pujari-Granthi Sammnan Yojna”, which offers a monthly stipend of Rs 18,000 to Hindu temple priests and Gurudwara Granthis, have become points of contention. Muslim religious leaders, including imams (prayer leaders), continue to be excluded from similar financial support, despite facing severe financial hardship. This has led to accusations of bias and favoritism towards the majority community.
The party’s embrace of such policies reflects a growing alignment with Hindu-nationalist ideologies, raising questions among Muslim voters about the party’s commitment to secular values. “The AAP is no longer the party we supported,” says Professor Aafreen (34), an activist from Shaheen Bagh. “We do not want the BJP to come to power. It is our only parameter when choosing a representative.”
‘Failure’ to Take Stand in Times of Crisis
The resentment in Okhla and other Muslim-majority constituencies is not just based on recent political stances, but also on how the AAP handled critical events that impacted the Muslim community. During the nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019, the then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s pledge to clear protest sites within two hours if given control over the police force angered many in the community, who saw it as a “betrayal of their right to peacefully protest”. “The AAP did not stand by us during the protests. They remained silent when we needed them most,” says Aafreen, recalling the tense moments of the protests in Shaheen Bagh.
The fallout from the 2020 Delhi riots, where at least 53 people were killed— 38 of them Muslim — further deepened the divide. Many Muslim residents of Okhla, Ballimaran and other areas believe that AAP’s lack of vocal support during these violent episodes signaled its “tacit endorsement” of the right-wing forces behind the unrest. “The AAP never cared enough about our lives. They remained silent when the city was burning in communal trenches,” says Mohammad Yunus (50) from Okhla’s Abul Fazal Enclave. “In short, Muslims are on their own.”
A Microcosm of Disillusionment
In Ballimaran, where Imran Hussain of the AAP secured two consecutive victories, local Muslim residents voiced similar concerns. Noorjehan (54), a resident of the area, says, “The AAP has not done anything for us. They played role in the targeted defamation of Muslims during the Corona outbreak. It was not fair anyway. They were busy shutting down the ‘Markaz’ (in Nizamuddin) and blaming the Tablighi Jamaat, while people were dying for the bare minimum facilities and support.”
In Babarpur, where AAP’s popularity had once been strong, Shabnam (26) summed up the mood of many voters. “We want betterment and not melodrama. We do not like how AAP leaders are copying the BJP’s algorithm tactics. Everything was okay in the beginning, but now the leaders have changed their minds. I believe if they do wrong, they will face the outcomes.”
Basheer Ahmad (50), a resident of Babarpur, points out alleged lack of substantial development in his area. “They promised to build a Baraat-ghar for public welfare. Later, they abruptly used tin-awnings in a garbage-dumping area of Kardampuri.”
Developmental Issues Remain ‘Unresolved’
Despite the party’s promises, residents allege, the developmental issues in these constituencies remain unresolved. It seems to have further eroded AAP’s credibility. Shiba (27), another resident from Batla House, criticises the lack of tangible progress over the years. “The AAP has not brought any major change in the past 10 years. You can spot open potholes and dangerous electric wires looming in the narrow lanes. Arvind Kejriwal probably thinks that he can win the polls on roadmaps of Modi, and we would cheer-up. But we understand everything.”
Shahdara: A Divided Response
Even in Shahdara, a mixed-population constituency, AAP’s stance on communal issues apparently has alienated many Muslim voters. Zainutunnisa (35), from Takiya, expressed recalls Kejriwal’s controversial remarks about Pakistani intruders allegedly taking Indian governmental jobs. “Arvind Kejriwal’s statement that Pakistani intruders would grab Indian governmental jobs does not seem right. It is like an attack on our rights, and somehow, we cannot avoid this hate, because it is slowly overpowering developmental promises,” she says.
The Road Ahead for AAP
As the Delhi Assembly elections approach, AAP’s alleged shift towards soft-Hindutva seems to have alienated its once-loyal Muslim base, pushing many voters to explore alternatives, including the Indian National Congress (INC) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM). In constituencies like Okhla, Babarpur and Ballimaran, Muslims are left grappling with the dilemma of choosing between a “Soft-Hindutva” party or a “Hardline-Hindutva” one. The apparent cracks in AAP’s secular image are becoming more pronounced as its handling of minority issues — combined with the alleged failure to address basic development needs — continues to fuel discontent.
As the election day draws near, one thing is certain: many Muslim voters feel abandoned.