Muslims have a pivotal role in the November 20 assembly elections, as a record number of Muslim candidates compete to challenge the state’s history of underrepresentation
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Maharashtra is set for a landmark election on November 20, with voters heading to the booths to elect representatives for the 288 assembly seats. The results, which will be declared on November 23, are expected to mark a historic turning point, especially for the state’s Muslim population, which comprises approximately 12% of the electorate.
This year, a total of 420 Muslim candidates are in the running – the largest number ever to contest in Maharashtra’s history. However, the question that has everyone talking is whether this significant number of candidates can break a long-standing political record. Despite the Muslim population, no more than 13 Muslim MLAs have ever been elected to the state legislature in any given election.
The candidates come from a wide spectrum of political affiliations, including major national parties, regional powers, and smaller political outfits. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance has chosen not to field Muslim candidates, other parties have embraced Muslim representation more openly.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), a coalition including Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has fielded 14 Muslim candidates. Among them, Congress has nominated nine, underscoring the party’s historical ties with Muslim voters in the state. Shiv Sena (UBT) has placed one candidate, Haroon Khan, in Versova, Mumbai, while NCP has put forward four Muslim candidates.
On the opposite side, the BJP-led alliance has shown flexibility, with Muslim candidates fielded through its allies. The Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde has nominated two Muslim candidates, and NCP has fielded five Muslims, with constituencies including Mumbra, Mankhurd, and Bandra East.
As traditional alliances shift, new players are entering the fray. Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is contesting on 16 seats, with 12 allocated to Muslim candidates, a strong push to build a political base in Maharashtra. Similarly, the Samajwadi Party (SP), traditionally strong in Uttar Pradesh, is fielding Muslim candidates in six of its eight contested constituencies, signalling a broader ambition to expand its influence in the state.
In districts such as Malegaon, where Muslims make up nearly 60% of the population, and Sambhajinagar East, with around 50% Muslim voters, Muslims are expected to play a decisive role. There are approximately 60 constituencies in Maharashtra where Muslim voters could tip the scales in favour of a political party. Analysts predict these areas will be among the most closely watched.
Maharashtra’s Muslim voters have historically had a significant influence on state politics. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, alliances such as MVA benefited from the support of Muslim voters, particularly in constituencies with substantial Muslim populations. Political figures, including BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, have acknowledged the importance of the Dalit-Muslim alliance, which helped secure victories for non-BJP candidates in several constituencies.
Despite the growing number of Muslim voters, representation in Maharashtra’s legislature has remained low. In the state’s political history, no more than 13 Muslim MLAs have been elected, a figure that has remained unchanged for decades. The last time this occurred was in the 1993 elections. Since then, the number has either stagnated or declined, with just 10 Muslim candidates elected in 2019.
This persistent underrepresentation has sparked questions about the challenges Muslim candidates face in breaking the ceiling of 13 MLAs. Factors contributing to this include the fragmented nature of Muslim political representation and the concentration of Muslim voters in specific areas, making it difficult to build widespread electoral support across the state.
The 420 Muslim candidates in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly election present a unique opportunity to shatter the 13-MLA record. Political analysts are divided on whether this will happen. While some fear the vote might be split between a large number of candidates, others remain hopeful, pointing to the strength of emerging parties like AIMIM and the growing alignment of Muslim voters with non-BJP parties like Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena.
“The question is whether these candidates can overcome the divisions within the Muslim community,” said political analyst Shubham Joshi. “The large number of Muslim candidates from different parties could potentially fragment the vote, making it harder for any one candidate to emerge as a clear winner.”
Another noteworthy development in this year’s elections is the rise in Muslim women candidates. For the first time, 22 Muslim women are in the poll fray, including three in key constituencies like Malegaon and Sambhajinagar East. This marks a significant step forward in terms of gender inclusivity and participation of Muslim women in the state’s political arena.
“The inclusion of more women candidates, particularly in Muslim-majority areas, is a positive sign for the future of women’s political participation in Maharashtra,” said Ayesha Khan, a political commentator. “It shows a shift towards a more inclusive political landscape.”
As the election draws closer, all eyes will be on the Muslim candidates and their ability to break the historical barrier of 13 MLAs. The results on November 23 could reshape the future of Muslim political representation in Maharashtra, offering a glimpse into the changing dynamics of the state’s electoral politics.
With 420 Muslim candidates now in the race, the very fact that such a large number have entered the political fray marks a shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape. The outcome of this election could signal the start of a new era for Muslim representation in the state’s legislature. However, whether the 13-MLA record will finally be broken remains uncertain, but this year’s election is sure to have far-reaching implications for the future of Muslim politics in Maharashtra.
