For many Muslims, issues taken up by AAP more appealing than Arvind Kejriwal - Narendra Modi fight, a resident of Worli

Dr. Mohammed Ali Patankar, a resident of Worli, says he's pro-secular. Voting, for this businessman who runs several clinics, has always been about bringing secular parties to power.
But at a time when social media is abuzz with the Varanasi contest where Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal is taking on Narendra Modi—the face of communalism for the Muslim community, many in the community seem to have a different take on AAP.

Members of the community dna spoke to feel the issues that AAP is taking up are more important to them than the Varanasi contest.

"AAP is an excellent party. Both Congress and BJP have not fulfilled their promises to the common man. Vajpayee as a man was nice, but he too could not do anything much. Kejriwal taking on Modi is not as big an issue as his party talking about what the common man wants. If people can give other parties a chance, why not to AAP too?" asked Patankar, who added that he had not yet decided for whom he would be voting.

Patankar's views were echoed by many in the community. "Muslims have now started talking about issues that are related to livelihood and not just about communalism. They want employment and reservation that can sustain them," said Mohammed Siraj, a Kurla resident, who works in the transport sector.

Kejriwal had said communalism is the biggest threat to this country, which for the community is a sign that his party would take up the issue, said Siraj. "However, Muslims find more resonance in the issues that AAP has been taking up. And because of that we are looking up to that party this election," he added.

Some like Haji Muqeem Khan, who lives in Bhendi Bazaar and runs a kite shop in the vicinity, had another taken on Kejrival's party. The AAP, he felt, had little effect in Mumbai. "There may be a buzz, but it's nothing like it's in Delhi, where it's making waves," he said.

Saleem Motorwala, resident of Bombay Central, who is into construction work, had a different view altogether. He dismissed AAP and the Varanasi fight as mere hype and said he didn't think much of it. "Modi has a stronger base there, and Kejriwal is all media hype. Here, Muslims like me vote for the Congress because we are helplessness; we believe they can keep the communal forces out," he said.