Modi, MIM factors hover over Cong’s ‘safe’ seats — Mumbadevi & Byculla

Another social activist admitted that the promise of representation to the minority community was building the latter’s trust in MIM.

The two supposedly ‘safe’ seats of the Congress in the city — Mumbadevi and Byculla — where the party garnered highest votes during the Lok Sabha (LS) elections is set to witness a division with carefully crafted pro-Modi speeches being propagated and the entry of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) party in the fray in all Muslim-dominated areas. The two Assembly pockets are considered Congress bastions with sitting MLAs Amin Patel in Mumbadevi and Madhu Chavan in Byculla, who won with 45,285 and 36,302 votes, respectively, during 2009 Assembly elections.

However, a number of factors have come into play this time. The sweeping victory of the BJP during the Lok Sabha elections and anti-incumbency factor had softened the Muslim community’s stand towards them, BJP party members said. Shabbir Ansari, founder-president of the All-India Muslim OBC Organisation, said, “The secular factor will no longer work on Muslims. They need representation. They feel their interests have been ignored for too long.”

The BJP campaign is focused on the 100 days of the Modi government where projects like Swachh Bharat, steps taken to prevent judicial delay, river cleaning, ‘Make in India’, education and urban development will be discussed to woo voters. Atul Shah, BJP candidate from Mumbadevi, said, “Since the BJP came to power at the Centre, Muslims have seen the change. The Modi-mantra will help us win their confidence. Mumbadevi has a sizeable Gujarati population which will benefit me too.”

Story continues below this ad

While Mumbadevi has over 50 per cent Muslim population and 22 per cent Gujaratis, Byculla has 35 per cent Muslims and 40 per cent Marathi population. The MIM party, making a debut in Maharashtra, is also expected to split Muslim votes. Byculla’s BJP candidate Madhu Chavan said, “We don’t anticipate that MIM will eat into our votes. They will make a dent in Congress’ vote bank and benefit us instead.”

Another social activist admitted that the promise of representation to the minority community was building the latter’s trust in MIM.

The MIM candidate for Byculla, Waris Pathan, said, “People are tired of Congress rule. We hope to get Muslim votes because of that. Additionally, the split in alliances have created a space for our party.” While Mumbadevi will witness a four-cornered fight between Congress, BJP, Shiv Sena and MNS, Byculla will see BJP, Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS) and Congress’ candidates embroiled in a close fight. The NCP has fielded a light-weight in Mumbadevi and no candidate in Byculla.

Prashant Mohepor, a Chinchpokli resident, said, “In Byculla, the MLA seat has been claimed either by the Congress or by Sena. If Muslim votes are split, Geeta Gawli may reap the benefit.” Gawli is contesting on ABS ticket, which has Sena’s support.

Story continues below this ad

Congress’ Amin Patel maintained that the party continued to have a stronghold in the two pockets. “People have seen our work and are happy. I don’t think MIM can eat into our votes or the so-called BJP wave will work here.”

tabassum.barnagarwala@expressindia.com

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram