Muslim community comprises nearly nine per cent of the state population and thus these groups expect each party to give tickets to at least 18 candidates.
Ahead of elections, several Muslim community and religious leaders have demanded that political parties give tickets to Muslim candidates in proportion to the community's population.
It is only a matter of weeks before tickets are decided and these groups have become active to seek political consensus within the community.
The 'soft Hinduism' of Congress has created concern among them. "Our call is not just for Congress but for all secular parties. The community votes should not be taken for granted," said Dr Iqbal Siddiqui, of Rajasthan Muslim Forum.
Muslim community comprises nearly nine per cent of the state population and thus these groups expect each party to give tickets to at least 18 candidates. The community votes have direct impact on more than 10 per cent of the 200 assembly seats.
However, in the last assembly elections in 2013, out of four Muslim candidates of the BJP and 14 of the Congress, only two emerged victorious. It is the lowest representation the community has had in the history of the state assembly. In 2008 elections, 12 Muslim candidates got elected to the assembly.
Both winning minority candidates of 2013 were from the BJP. It is expected to keep the quota for the minority community limited to two seats.
It is the probability of a reduced interest of other political parties that has concerned Muslim groups. Congress though, denies any such thing.
"It is the people close to BJP that have been trying to mislead the community on 'soft Hinduism'. The Congress will give equal opportunity to deserving candidates from all communities," said Congress leader Khanoo Khan. He assured that there will be at least as many Muslim candidates fielded by the Congress as in the previous election.
The concern of the Muslim community though does not end with ticket allocation. The community needs leaders to stand up for their issues. Many of them alleged that parties often choose candidates of communal and criminal backgrounds, these more often work for individual interest than that of the community.
The community groups building pressure in favour of community candidates claim that they shall look for more options to vote for this election.
The Equation
- Muslim community consists nearly 9 per cent of the state population and thus these groups expect each party to give ticket to at least 18 candidates.
- The community votes have direct impact on more than 10 per cent of the 200 assembly seats.
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