Flayed by inflation, but fear of Modi may push minorities to vote for Cong
23 Nov 2013 5:27 AM IST
Though in the earlier years, Muslim population was largely concentrated in the Walled city area, which has three assembly seats, over the years they have moved out to city’s peripheral areas in north-east, north-west and south-east.
It’s not that they are greatly enamoured by the performance of the Congress government but in all likelihood polarise in its support to stop BJP from coming to power. Mufti Mukarram, Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid said, ‘I am not sure, how minorities will react in the election but I personally feel people are not happy with Congress. But then no one else is there to care for minority issues. This time instead of party, I will look for who the candidate is. Though very unlikely, but AAP may spring a surprise.’
Candidate does matter, and this was evident from the reaction of 25-year-old man enjoying a meal of biryani at an eatery outside Jama Masjid, falling in Ballimaran constituency, said, ‘AAP is new and they don’t have money. Even if they win, what can they do for the betterment of life? I don’t think they will make it this time.’
A first time voter stepping down from Jama Masjid said, ‘See I am not much aware, how politics works, but we are aware about people who are in news regularly. So definitely people like me will cast their vote accordingly.’
Shahid Siddiquie, chief editor of popular Urdu weekly Nai Duniya said, ‘I have observed Delhi politics since long and minorities cannot be herded. Different constituencies have different issues. In some part of Delhi they would pick Congress as usual, but in some part they would go for an alternative as well.’
When asked why BJP cannot get their vote, not even after Narendra Modi’s stylised speeches he said, ‘Modi is not going to be a factor at all. Some people say there is a wave of anti Congress in the city but even that won’t help BJP.’
He is however countered by Atif Rashid, the president of the minority cell of Delhi BJP. ‘Modi has provided security and development to the minorities in Gujarat in the last 10 years like no other state. We would replicate this model in Delhi,’ says Rashid.
In areas like Trilokpuri in trans-Yamuna, the choice has to be made between Congress or the BSP. ‘We are not sure this time, whom we should vote for. A day a group of around 10 people were discussing about this, but no conclusion yet,’ said a man coming out of the mosque after offering prayers. When asked about new debutante AAP and its candidate Raju Dhigan, he said, ‘We are not much aware about who he is. Nobody took his name even once in that group meet. There campaigning in our area is weak.’
However, people in Okhla constituency, currently represented by Asif Khan, are not much happy with him. A group of youths discussing politics said, ‘How can Congress ask for vote if they have not done anything in this area. Countless potholes on the road. During rains people fell into ditches.’
Navaid Hamid who is a noted social activist feels that Narendra Modi’s anointment as BJP’s PM candidate has reduced the anti-Congress wave. He said, ‘Modi factor has accelerated the polarisation, otherwise people are not very happy with Congress. Also minorities have never voted after looking at candidates.’
In the relatively better off colonies, however the Muslim residents are inclined at looking at other social
factors than mere religion while voting.
‘People vote for Congress irrespective of the fact whether there is communal leader like Modi there or not there. They vote for Congress because it has always protected the rights of the minority community,’ says Congress leader and minister in Sheila Dikshit government Haroon Yusuf. People are concerned about issues of parking, congestion, sanitation and bad roads.
‘The existing infrastructure is not a in a position to take any further load however four-storey buildings are being built with impunity’, said Saquib Habbib a resident of Hauz Rani. Residents also have complained that the residential areas are being slowly converted into markets.
Safdar Khan, who is the chairman of Delhi minority commission, believes that minority needs secular leadership. He said, ‘Minorities of Delhi need secular leadership which can take care of everyone. Apart from some reserve votes, which will go for other parties but majority of minorities will vote for Congress.’
It’s not that they are greatly enamoured by the performance of the Congress government but in all likelihood polarise in its support to stop BJP from coming to power. Mufti Mukarram, Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid said, ‘I am not sure, how minorities will react in the election but I personally feel people are not happy with Congress. But then no one else is there to care for minority issues. This time instead of party, I will look for who the candidate is. Though very unlikely, but AAP may spring a surprise.’
Candidate does matter, and this was evident from the reaction of 25-year-old man enjoying a meal of biryani at an eatery outside Jama Masjid, falling in Ballimaran constituency, said, ‘AAP is new and they don’t have money. Even if they win, what can they do for the betterment of life? I don’t think they will make it this time.’
A first time voter stepping down from Jama Masjid said, ‘See I am not much aware, how politics works, but we are aware about people who are in news regularly. So definitely people like me will cast their vote accordingly.’
Shahid Siddiquie, chief editor of popular Urdu weekly Nai Duniya said, ‘I have observed Delhi politics since long and minorities cannot be herded. Different constituencies have different issues. In some part of Delhi they would pick Congress as usual, but in some part they would go for an alternative as well.’
When asked why BJP cannot get their vote, not even after Narendra Modi’s stylised speeches he said, ‘Modi is not going to be a factor at all. Some people say there is a wave of anti Congress in the city but even that won’t help BJP.’
He is however countered by Atif Rashid, the president of the minority cell of Delhi BJP. ‘Modi has provided security and development to the minorities in Gujarat in the last 10 years like no other state. We would replicate this model in Delhi,’ says Rashid.
In areas like Trilokpuri in trans-Yamuna, the choice has to be made between Congress or the BSP. ‘We are not sure this time, whom we should vote for. A day a group of around 10 people were discussing about this, but no conclusion yet,’ said a man coming out of the mosque after offering prayers. When asked about new debutante AAP and its candidate Raju Dhigan, he said, ‘We are not much aware about who he is. Nobody took his name even once in that group meet. There campaigning in our area is weak.’
However, people in Okhla constituency, currently represented by Asif Khan, are not much happy with him. A group of youths discussing politics said, ‘How can Congress ask for vote if they have not done anything in this area. Countless potholes on the road. During rains people fell into ditches.’
Navaid Hamid who is a noted social activist feels that Narendra Modi’s anointment as BJP’s PM candidate has reduced the anti-Congress wave. He said, ‘Modi factor has accelerated the polarisation, otherwise people are not very happy with Congress. Also minorities have never voted after looking at candidates.’
In the relatively better off colonies, however the Muslim residents are inclined at looking at other social
factors than mere religion while voting.
‘People vote for Congress irrespective of the fact whether there is communal leader like Modi there or not there. They vote for Congress because it has always protected the rights of the minority community,’ says Congress leader and minister in Sheila Dikshit government Haroon Yusuf. People are concerned about issues of parking, congestion, sanitation and bad roads.
‘The existing infrastructure is not a in a position to take any further load however four-storey buildings are being built with impunity’, said Saquib Habbib a resident of Hauz Rani. Residents also have complained that the residential areas are being slowly converted into markets.
Safdar Khan, who is the chairman of Delhi minority commission, believes that minority needs secular leadership. He said, ‘Minorities of Delhi need secular leadership which can take care of everyone. Apart from some reserve votes, which will go for other parties but majority of minorities will vote for Congress.’
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