Commenting on the AAP’s performance in the Muslim-dominated seats, prominent news anchor Rahul Kanwal said Muslim voters are sending out a message that AAP cannot take their votes for granted
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Although Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has registered a resounding victory in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party has lost the Muslim-majority wards to the Congress party.
Out of the nine seats the Congress won in the civic elections, seven candidates are Muslim. They are: Ariba Khan from Abul Fazal Enclave, Nazia Khatoon from Brija Puri, Shagufta Chaudhry from Chuahan Banger, Zarif from Kabir Nagar, Sabila Begum from Mustafabad, Sameer Ahmed from Shastri Park and Nazia Danish from Zakir Nagar. Most of the Congress candidates won against the Aam Aadmi Party in a direct contest.
Reacting to AAP’s performance in the Muslim-dominated seats, prominent news anchor Rahul Kanwal said that Muslim voters are sending out a message that AAP cannot take their votes for granted.
“AAP’s calculation was that Muslim voters would not leave AAP. MCD counting results show in minority dominated pockets, a chunk of Muslim votes has gone back to Congress. Muslims sending a clear message to the AAP that not taking a clear stance on minority issues has consequences,” tweeted Kanwal.
Muslims make up around 13 per cent of Delhi’s population. While the Congress had fielded 24 candidates from the minority community, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded seven and four such candidates, respectively.
Out of a total of 130 seats the APP won, only five candidates are Muslim. They are: Aale Mohammed Iqbal from Chandni Mahal, Rafia Mahir from Bazar Sitaram, Mohd Sadiq from Ballimaran, Shamim Bano from Quraish Nagar and Mohammed Amil Malik from Shri Ram Colony.
Prominent journalist Rajdeep Sardesai “AAP has lost 14% Muslim vote and 16% Dalit vote in comparison to 2020 assembly election. AAP has reason to celebrate its win but also cause to introspect”.
Since the AAP has taken the Hindutva route to win the elections, the minority community has become disenchanted with the party. During the Delhi riots 2020, AAP’s inaction has drawn criticism. Then, during the covid, Chief Minister and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal has communalised the pandemic blaming the Tablighi Jamaat for it.
Commenting on the development, journalist Tarique Anwar said, “It was AAP that first gave the COVID pandemic a communal colour. The party maintained criminal silence on Delhi riots. Its councilors took Muslim votes for granted and turned their respective wards into a living hell. As a result, people’s mandate is before them. The party lost almost all Muslim majority seats in the #MCDElections. So, the message is loud and clear: never ever take us for granted.”
Meanwhile, the All India Muslim Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMMIM), which had fielded 40 candidates, has not had a single seat in its kitty.
Commenting on this aspect of the poll outcome, senior Congress leader Chatar Singh said, “The Muslim community is disenchanted with the AAP, as the party did not support them either during the communal riots or the Central government’s action against the congregation at the Nizamuddin Markaz during the pandemic. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s recent suggestion to have lord Ganesh and goddess Laxmi’s pictures on currency notes has also not gone down well with the community and some people think that he is anti-Muslim. Most people are now supporting the Congress.”
