Nine Muslim candidates secured victory in Maharashtra, while four Muslims emerged victorious in Jharkhand, signalling a notable shift in political dynamics in both states
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand have not only brought significant political changes but also witnessed a rise in Muslim representation in the legislative assemblies of both states. Preliminary data has confirmed that nine Muslim candidates have made it to the new assembly in Maharashtra. In Jharkhand, four Muslim candidates have emerged victorious, strengthening the political presence of the community in the state.
The success of nine Muslim candidates in Maharashtra is seen as a landmark achievement on the state’s political scene. Among the successful candidates are representatives from major political parties including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction). These victories reflect not only the growing political significance of Muslim leaders but also the shifting electoral strategies of the parties involved.
Congress has secured victories with Sajid Khan Pathan from Akola West, Aslam Ramzan Ali Sheikh from Malad West, and Amin Patel from Mambadevi. Patel, a seasoned Congress leader, received a total of 69,901 votes, defeating his Shiv Sena opponent Shaina Manish Manot by a margin of 35,152 votes.
Sana Malik of the NCP emerged victorious in the Anushkati Nagar constituency, where she defeated Fahad Ahmed, the husband of Bollywood actress Swara Bhaskar, who was running on an NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) ticket. Sana’s victory marked a significant moment, as Fahad Ahmed had made a splash in the political landscape after switching allegiance from the Samajwadi Party to the NCP. Despite his high-profile connection, he was unable to secure winning votes.
In Kagal, Musharraf Hassan, also from the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), emerged victorious with 143,828 votes, defeating Ghatge Samarjit Singh of Sharad Pawar’s NCP by a margin of 11,879 votes.
The Samajwadi Party also claimed victories, with Abu Asim Azmi from Shivaji Nagar and Rais Qasim Sheikh from Bhiwandi East making a mark. Rais Qasim Sheikh triumphed with a total of 119,687 votes, defeating his Shiv Sena opponent Santosh Manjhi Shetty by a large margin of 52,015 votes.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) saw Haroon Khan securing a win from the prestigious Versova constituency with 65,396 votes, defeating BJP’s Dr Bharti Lavikar by 1,600 votes. Haroon Khan’s victory is significant as Versova has always been considered a high-stake constituency, with intense political competition.
In Malegaon Central, a nail-biting contest saw Mufti Mohammad Ismail Abdul Khaliq of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) defeating his nearest rival, Asif Sheikh Rashid from the Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra Party, by a mere 75 votes. Ismail received 109,332 votes, making it one of the closest races in the Maharashtra elections.
These victories reflect the growing Muslim political engagement in Maharashtra, where parties are increasingly recognising the importance of the Muslim vote. Additionally, they underline the crucial role of Muslim candidates in shaping the political discourse in the state.
In Jharkhand, four Muslim candidates have emerged victorious, with Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) securing the lion’s share of the Muslim vote. With 56 seats secured by the ruling INDIA bloc, the Muslim representation has been seen as a strong indicator of community involvement in state politics.
Irfan Ansari, a veteran Congress leader, won from the Jamtara constituency with a massive margin of 43,676 votes, defeating BJP candidate Sita Soren. This marks his third consecutive win from Jamtara, reinforcing his stronghold in the region. Irfan Ansari received 133,266 votes, compared to Soren’s 89,590 votes.
Nishat Alam, another Congress candidate and wife of former Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam, triumphed in the fiercely contested Pakur constituency. Nishat Alam defeated Azhar Islam of the BJP ally AJSU by a substantial 86,029 votes, securing 155,827 votes in total.
Hafizul Hassan of JMM emerged victorious in Madhupur constituency, defeating BJP’s Ganga Narayan Singh by a margin of 20,027 votes. Hafizul secured 143,953 votes, while Singh obtained 123,926 votes.
Muhammad Tajuddin, also from JMM, won from the Rajmahal constituency, defeating BJP’s Anant Kumar Ojha by a comfortable margin of 43,432 votes. Tajuddin received 140,176 votes, while Ojha garnered 96,744 votes.
The victory of these Muslim candidates is seen as a clear indication of the community’s growing role in Jharkhand’s political landscape. With the INDIA bloc now poised to form the government once again under the leadership of Hemant Soren, the Muslim vote has proven pivotal in shaping the state’s political future. The results in Jharkhand also reflect a broader trend of consolidation among minority communities, with Muslims playing a crucial role in both Congress and JMM’s success.
Political Implications
The rise in Muslim representation in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand highlights the increasing political engagement of the community. In Maharashtra, Muslim voters have been a key demographic, with parties such as Congress, Shiv Sena, and NCP recognising their importance in securing crucial seats. The success of Muslim candidates is expected to further influence the political strategies of these parties in the coming years.
In Jharkhand, the INDIA bloc’s success demonstrates the stronghold of Congress and JMM among minority communities. The Muslim vote in Jharkhand has been historically significant, and its consolidation with other minority and tribal votes has been instrumental in ensuring the continued dominance of the INDIA bloc.
The defeat of high-profile candidates like Fahad Ahmed in Maharashtra has sparked much discussion. Despite the celebrity status of his wife, Ahmed was unable to secure the support needed to defeat Sana Malik. This loss highlights political newcomers’ challenges, even with significant media attention and celebrity backing.
Positive Signs
As the political landscape continues to evolve in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand, the growing presence of Muslim politicians is seen as a positive sign for democratic participation. With the increasing success of Muslim candidates in key constituencies, there is hope that the community’s political representation will continue to rise, leading to greater advocacy for minority rights and issues.
Muslim political leaders in both states have voiced their commitment to addressing the concerns of their communities, including employment, education, and welfare. They also aim to strengthen inter-community relations and ensure that the interests of all minority groups are protected in future governance.
Political analysts and community leaders alike are hopeful that the political success of Muslim candidates will bring about positive change and stronger community representation in both states.