Standing in one of the congested lanes that makes up the Muslim heartland of Madanpura in Central Mumbai, Zakir Ansari (name changed) is perturbed. 

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“I have never seen such money being thrown around. Candidates are distributing free meals for a month. Still, voters' disillusionment about the system is scary. The real issues around which a civic election should be fought on like roads, water and quality of education are missing from public discourse. It's all about emotion-mongering,” said Ansari, while mirroring the sentiments of many from the community. 

Community elders said while newer entrants like the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) led by the firebrand Owaisi brothers from Hyderabad have managed to shake the influence of parties like the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP), the cynicism among voters, especially the young, about the political system was rising. 

Wadala resident Muhammed Feroz Shaikh noted that mainstream political parties had failed to tap the aspirational vote in young Muslims, who seek upward mobility and have different frames of references than their peers. 

“Partly, the community is to be blamed for this state of affairs. They must not allow themselves to be used and vote only after giving a good thought,” he said, adding that it was necessary for the political discourse to move around issues like education and employment.

“There is disillusionment with the Congress and NCP,” noted Shabbir Ansari of the influential All India Muslim OBC Organisation, adding that while the Muslim youth was veering towards the AIMIM, its image had taken a hit as it had nominated candidates, including defectors, based on “elective merit.” 

“Contrary to perception, the Muslim vote is not homegenous and the community is divided across political lines,” said Ansari, adding that the assertion by Hindutva hotheads after the BJP’s rise to power in the Centre and the state had led to unease in the already marginalised community. “Since Muslims feel let down by most political parties, they may choose candidates who they think may work for them,” he opined. 

However, the AIMIM’s presence seemed to have made a marginal impact on voters in Muslim pockets in the island city though it could eat into the votes of other parties in wards like 223 (Imamwada-Dongri), 213 (Kamathipura-Sidharth Nagar), 211 (Madanpura), and 212 (Agripada).

"We do not identify with their (AIMIM) identity politics. We want someone who will work here," said Umerkhadi resident Raza Syed. Muslims in general stated that though "no one does much work", still the vote was for someone who will work and be around. However, some in the ward said that AIMIM was a number of votes. 

Muslims in different wards stated that they wanted someone who will take care of issues like cleanliness, water, traffic, parking, house gullies, redevelopment and traffic. 

"In our ward, house gully is an issue besides traffic and parking," said Kamathipura’s Anees Khan. He, like many others, said that the fight there was between Congress and Samajwadi Party for Muslim votes and speculated that the seat may go to someone else due to a vote split. 

"AIMIM nominated someone who was not a party worker. The Congress candidate is not known much and was a light name," said Naseem Syed. However, some like Abdul Qadir Ansari said, "We have tried a new name because we feel that the old ones will be more prone to corrupt practices and will garner less votes," hinting at the preference for AIMIM. 

The fight in Madanpura may tilt towards Samajwadi Party's Raees Shaikh. "Cycle seems to be the preference here," said Syed Zaffar Abbas, resident of Madanpura. However, some like Nafees Ansari said, "The fight here is actually three-way." Some voters, however, said AIMIM was getting a large number of votes. 

In ward 212, voters said that the fight was between Geeta Gawli and Congress over other parties. "Out here, the vote is for redevelopment issue and since a Muslim community member has been given ticket who is identified by Muslims here, the contest is between the two," said a voter. 

“At some level, there is a disillusionment with mainstream politics. Most politicians are interested in feathering their own politics, some do this blatantly, some in an insidious manner,” noted Kashif, a Vikhroli resident, adding that hence, Muslims were forced to choose the lesser evil. 

“The community has been used for its votes for long... without basic issues being addressed. Issues like inflation, poverty, unemployment and poor state of civic services hurt all, regardless of caste and religion,” he said, adding that lack of adequate opportunities in India forced Muslim youngsters to migrate to the Gulf for menial jobs where they have to lead a hard scrabble existence to send their savings back home.