Community sore at Kejriwal’s party over its handling of 2020 riots
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – As Delhi Assembly elections near, Muslim voters are again emerging as a decisive factor in the city’s electoral landscape. Their vote could be pivotal in determining the outcome, particularly in constituencies with a significant Muslim population.
The aftermath of the 2020 communal riots in northeast Delhi has left many Muslims feeling disillusioned with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which they had strongly supported in earlier elections. Despite their overwhelming support for AAP in 2020, Muslims feel let down by the party’s perceived inaction during the riots, which continues to fuel resentment. Muslims, who make up around 12.86% of Delhi’s population, played a crucial role in helping AAP secure a clean sweep in several Muslim-majority constituencies. However, many now question the party’s commitment to the community.
“Look, every household here has Congress supporters, but when it comes to voting, AAP will be the first choice of the community. Congress may be in our hearts, but when it comes to the mind, we will vote for AAP,” said Aftab, 65, a mobile phone shop owner from Seelampur, one of the areas most affected by the 2020 riots.
This sentiment is echoed in several constituencies such as Mustafabad, Babarpur, Okhla, and Ballimaran, where Muslims continue to lean towards AAP, though some remain undecided due to the party’s handling of past issues. While Congress and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) are still part of the conversation, the crucial question remains whether these parties can regain the trust of a community disillusioned by AAP’s perceived failure during the riots.
Congress, seeking to capitalise on the growing discontent with AAP, has emphasised its historical connection with the Muslim community. Speaking at an election rally, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi said, “Who stood with you when Delhi was burning? If Rahul Gandhi has always stood with you and you vote for a third person, it will be an injustice to your conscience.”
Despite these appeals, many Muslim voters have expressed that Congress no longer offers a viable alternative. Mujeeb, a textile market shopkeeper in Seelampur, criticised Congress for its failure to act during critical times.
For AAP, securing Muslim support remains vital in this tight election race. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s administration has made strides with promises aimed at women voters, who have shown strong backing for the party, particularly with the Rs 2,100 monthly financial assistance scheme. “Around 50,000 women voters in Okhla have already registered for the scheme. AAP has got a lead of around 50,000 votes even before the first vote is cast,” said Noorul Hasan, a retired teacher from Okhla.
Congress, once the primary political party supported by Delhi’s Muslim community, is now struggling to regain traction, especially after its poor performance in the 2020 elections. Party insiders have acknowledged the demoralising effect of Rahul Gandhi’s limited campaigning, having addressed only one rally in Delhi so far.
In a bid to secure the Muslim vote, the BJP has also sought to exploit perceived grievances, accusing AAP of being lenient on certain communities. “The roads are in a mess, the drainage system is clogged. What was the need to plaster the boundary walls of the graveyard with waterproof tiles or paint them now? This is the truth of AAP,” claimed a BJP functionary.
While AAP’s focus on infrastructure development and financial assistance has won some support, many continue to view the political divide as rooted in historical issues. Tanvir Aijaz, an associate professor at Delhi University, commented, “Despite frustrations over AAP’s handling of previous issues, Muslims are likely to vote strategically to keep the BJP at bay. In most places, Muslims vote strategically to defeat the BJP, and the situation is unlikely to be different in Delhi.”
As Election Day draws near, the Muslim vote remains a crucial battleground in Delhi’s political contest. Despite grievances over past events, the community is expected to make its choice with one eye on the future and the other on the broader challenge of keeping the BJP from gaining ground.
With the political stakes higher than ever, it remains to be seen whether Muslim voters will continue to back AAP or shift their allegiance back to Congress, marking a key turning point in the February 5 elections.
