Gujarat Elections: Muslims from BJP Minority Morcha demand tickets
01 Nov 2017 |
| Considering that BJP has since 1980 fielded only one Muslim candidate in Assembly elections, for the upcoming elections, BJP Minority Morcha has demanded several tickets.
The Morcha feels that since about 350 Muslims could win seats in the local polls in urban areas in 2015, they could surely win assembly polls in certain constituencies which are predominantly Muslim.
How is Muslim representation in Gujarat?
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As CM, Modi's minority outreach had been the Sadbhavana mission
Sadbhavana |
| In 2011, SC rejected a case that linked the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to the 2002 riots case. Using this as vindication of his non-involvement in the riots, Modi decided to undertake a Sadbhavana Mission "to strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony."
Modi met religious leaders from minority communities, detailed the importance of his "development model" and slammed Congress's vote-bank politics.
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However, this "sadbhavana" didn't translate into tickets
FACT |
| However, in the 2012 Assembly elections, despite the efforts at minority outreach, BJP didn't give tickets to Muslim candidates. This was despite the fact that many Muslims were offered tickets during local polls in 2010 and had emerged winners. |
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Who all are seeking tickets?
FACT |
| Now, many Muslim leaders have requested for tickets. Mehboob Ali Chisti, BJP's Minority Morcha in-charge said, "During the recent Parliamentary Board meeting, many Muslim community leaders have requested for party tickets. Representations have been made for Jamalpur-Khadia, Vejalpur, Vagra, Wankaner, Bhuj and Abdasa seats." |
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Meanwhile, Muslim representation in Gujarat has slowly dipped
Representation |
| Presently, though Muslims make up 10% of the population, only two Muslim MLAs were elected to the 182-member Assembly in the 2012 elections. In the LS, no Muslim represents Gujarat.
Both BJP and Congress have given Muslims fewer and fewer tickets over the years, though as per their population size, Muslims may be influencing the outcome of about 18 seats.
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Muslim outfits: Why are Muslims missing from the poll narrative?
Muslim outfits |
| Meanwhile, representatives of four Muslim organizations have expressed concern about both BJP and Congress 'ignoring Muslims or avoiding their core problems including their demand for representation in polls'.
They said Muslim candidates should be fielded from 21 assembly constituencies where Muslims make up 20% population.
Further, government should widen representation of Muslims from Waqf boards or Haj committees to government bodies.
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