Though the voting pattern of the Muslim community sprung some surprises, many members of the community termed the manner in which Muslims voted as "positive". They said this time it was "different" unlike in the past when Muslims voted for the person best suited to defeat a communal candidate.
Vote was given to the candidate and party the community wanted to win, and hence it was a "positive" decision. This applied to candidates of Congress, NCP and AIMIM. However, the underlying factor that influenced their decision was the oft-repeated demand for better representation of the community from constituencies where its votes are a deciding factor.
Candidates who are popular, have been around and are construed "to do work" were given first preference. That was followed by prominence of the party and those who reached out to community sentiments. "First preference was to the candidate and only then the party. At places where the candidate of Congress and NCP was not good, the community voted for others as it was "tired of false promises", said Aslam Ghazi, secretary, national affairs, Jamaat-e-Islami (Maharasthra) chapter.
AIMIM, which was one of the direct beneficiaries, won two seats. It also dented opportunities of some secular candidates by eating into their votes. This was conspicuous in places like Byculla, Aurangabad region, Mumbadevi, Versova, Nanded, Solapur, Malegaon, and Vandre (east) among others.
"The issue of better representation has always been there. But with the rise of Right wing, insecurity and fear have creeped in and the community felt 'firebrand' AIMIM could be a better option," said Farid Khan, member, Urdu Markaz, an organisation that works to promote Urdu language and culture. Rhetorical promises of betterment, and non-implementation of Sri Krishna Commission report were some of the factors that backfired on traditional parties.
"As per percentage of population, Muslims should get 40 seats, but that doesn't happen, so there is anger always. Due to rise of the BJP, polarization has come out into the open. How this will work out we are yet to see, but it does augur well for the state. Polarization also means more bad news for the community," said Mohammed Siraj, member, Muslims for Peace and Justice.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}