AAP chief skips campaigning in key Muslim-dominated seats; party’s strategy and voter sentiment spark debate
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI –– As campaigning for the Delhi Assembly elections drew to a close on Monday, a noticeable gap in Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal’s campaign trail has sparked discussions. Despite actively campaigning across the capital for the past four and a half months, Kejriwal has conspicuously avoided Muslim-majority constituencies from where AAP has fielded five Muslim candidates.
Delhi’s political landscape includes approximately 13 percent Muslim voters, with eight out of 70 assembly seats considered Muslim-majority. AAP has fielded Muslim candidates in five of these seats — Ballimaran, Seelampur, Okhla, Mustafabad, and Matia Mahal — where Muslim voters constitute between 45 to 60 percent of the electorate. Historically, these areas have been AAP strongholds, with the party securing all Muslim-majority seats in both the 2015 and 2020 elections.
However, this time, Kejriwal’s absence from these constituencies has raised eyebrows. “Muslim voters feel sidelined this time. They stood by Kejriwal in 2020 despite his silence on key issues, but now his absence from campaigning in our areas is worrying,” said an AAP worker in Seelampur, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The 2020 Delhi elections were held amid widespread protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), particularly in Muslim-majority areas like Shaheen Bagh, which falls within the Okhla constituency. Despite AAP’s silence on the protests, the party managed to secure strong support from Muslim voters.
This time, however, the political climate has shifted. Issues such as the Tablighi Jamaat controversy and the Delhi riots have taken centre stage, with Congress actively raising these concerns. “Kejriwal’s strategy appears to be risk-averse. He does not want to be seen engaging in religious or identity-based politics, especially in the wake of past controversies. However, this could backfire if Muslim voters feel neglected,” commented a political analyst.
In Kejriwal’s absence, AAP has reportedly assigned the responsibility of engaging with Muslim voters to Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, known for his secular credentials and strong connection with Muslim communities. “Sanjay Singh is well-respected among Muslim voters. His role is to reassure them that AAP remains committed to their issues, even if Kejriwal is not personally campaigning in these areas,” said a party insider.
Despite the challenges, AAP’s five Muslim candidates remain hopeful. “We trust that our past work in these areas will help us secure victory again. The focus should be on governance and development, not just religious sentiments,” said a candidate from one of the key constituencies.
As voting day approaches, Kejriwal’s strategic retreat from Muslim-majority seats remains a significant talking point. Will Muslim voters continue their support for AAP despite the perceived distance? Or will Congress and AIMIM gain ground by capitalizing on these concerns? The answer will soon be revealed at the ballot box.
