Muslim Dy CM for Maharashtra? MVA intensifies efforts to woo Muslim voters
PTC News Desk: As Maharashtra prepares for the 2024 Assembly Elections, political parties are stepping up their efforts to connect voters, focussing on caste dynamics and the Muslim population. The Mahavikas Aghadi is reportedly considering appointing a Muslim Deputy Chief Minister in order to reach out to this significant backing.
With the election approaching, parties are strategically aiming to appeal to a diverse variety of people. A notable aspect of the Mahavikas Aghadi's approach is its attempt to gain support from the Muslim community, which has shown strong support for the alliance in recent elections, particularly in places with large Muslim populations.
The coalition also plans to implement broader measures to reach diverse voter groups. Proposals such as free education for girls and environmental projects show a broad effort to communicate with voters. Furthermore, using Bollywood superstars and honouring Ratan Tata with the Bharat Ratna suggest a combination of policy measures and celebrity appeal aimed at receiving public attention ahead of the elections.
Recent elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir have shown a tendency of Muslim voters supporting the Congress party. For example, all elected Congress MLAs in Jammu and Kashmir are Muslim, demonstrating the party's close relationship with these components. This pattern emphasises the strategic importance of the Muslim electorate in Maharashtra, where considerable turnout was recorded against the Mahayuti alliance in Dhule and parts of Mumbai.
Criticism has risen, especially from BJP leader Amit Malviya, who accused Congress of catering to Muslim interests, comparing it to "the new Muslim League." It also indicates an increasing Hindu voter preference for the BJP, particularly in locations such as Jammu, while Muslim voters in the Kashmir Valley appear to prefer the Congress and National Conference. Such statements highlight the polarised nature of the electorate, with religious ties increasingly influencing voter behaviour.
The move of Hindu voters, particularly those who previously supported Uddhav Thackeray, to Eknath Shinde has caused the Mahavikas Aghadi to reconsider its strategy for securing Muslim votes. Thackeray's party and Sharad Pawar's NCP understand the importance of the Muslim voter, which has traditionally received substantial support in Muslim-majority areas.
Some Muslim leaders have even advocated for more legislative representation, proposing 40 seats to deter community shifts towards parties such as MIM or Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi.
Amid these strategic moves, problems came up, including calls to arrest individuals for conduct deemed to be disrespectful to Hindu feelings and opposition to the Waqf Amendment Bill. These problems have sparked political debate, influencing the Mahavikas Aghadi's involvement with the Muslim community and the possibility of a Muslim deputy chief minister.
The NDA government's promise of Rs 7,600 crore in development projects for Maharashtra and tributes to powerful figures like Ratan Tata by politicians, including PM Modi and Fadnavis, suggest a determined effort to sway voter sentiment as elections get closer.
- PTC NEWS
