The election results underscore Muslim voters’ critical role and reflect a broader trend towards supporting parties with inclusive policies.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced a significant setback in the recent general elections, losing 30% of the seats with a majority of Muslim voters. According to a detailed Amar Ujala report, Muslim voters, typically supportive of secular parties, were notably more sensitive and alert this election cycle.
The report highlights Muslim voters’ pivotal role in determining the outcome in many parliamentary constituencies. The BJP’s controversial and misleading statements regarding Muslim reservations were cited as major factors influencing the voters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders had repeatedly accused the Congress of planning to redistribute reservations from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) to Muslims if elected. Conversely, the Congress warned that a BJP victory would lead to constitutional changes abolishing SC and ST reservations.
A breakdown of the results in constituencies with significant Muslim populations underscores this trend. In areas where Muslim voters comprise more than 50% of the electorate, the BJP’s losses were notable.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) saw a considerable gain, winning over three times more seats than in the last election. This shift suggests a growing support for parties perceived as more inclusive and secular.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured 46 out of 96 seats with more than 20% Muslim voters. The Congress won 11 seats in these areas. In constituencies with over 40% Muslim voters, the BJP managed to win 29 seats, with Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samajwadi Party (SP-BSP) alliance and Congress securing five seats each.
Uttar Pradesh, the state with the largest Muslim voter base, showed significant changes. Of the 28 seats with over 20% Muslim voters, the BJP’s hold was considerably reduced. In West Bengal, the BJP had previously won four out of 20 such seats.
Results Comparison
Constituencies with over 50% Muslim voters:
Karimganj: BJP retained
Dhubri: Shift from AIUDF to Congress
Barpeta: Shift from Congress to Asom Gana Parishad
Kishanganj: Congress retained
Srinagar: National Conference retained
Baramulla: Shift from National Conference to independent
Anantnag: National Conference retained
Malappuram: IUML retained
Ponnani: IUML retained
Lakshadweep: Shift from NCP to Congress
Baharampur: Shift from Congress to TMC
Murshidabad: TMC retained
Malda North: BJP retained
Malda South: Shift from BJP to Congress
Jangipur: TMC retained
Constituencies with 41% to 50% Muslim voters:
Secunderabad: BJP retained
Hyderabad: AIMIM retained
Arriya: BJP retained
Katihar: Shift from JDU to Congress
Ladakh: Shift from BJP to Independent
Bijnor: Shift from BSP to RLD
Nagina: Shift from BSP to Azad Samaj Party
Moradabad: Samajwadi Party retained
Rampur: Samajwadi Party retained
Sambhal: Samajwadi Party retained
Raiganj: BJP retained
Constituencies with 31% to 40% Muslim voters:
Duranga-Udal Gauri: BJP retained
Silchar: BJP retained
Purnia: Shift from JD(U) to Independent
Gurgaon: BJP retained
Udhampur: BJP retained
Kasargod: Congress retained
Vadakara: Congress retained
Kozhikode: Congress retained
Saharanpur: Shift from BSP to Congress
Kairana: Shift from BJP to SP
Muzaffarnagar: Shift from BJP to SP
Amroha: Shift from BSP to BJP
Meerut: BJP retained
Awla: Shift from BJP to SP
Bareilly: BJP retained
Bahraich: BJP retained
Shrawasti: Shift from BSP to SP
Haridwar: BJP retained
Chandni Chowk: BJP retained
Basirhat: TMC retained
Joynagar: TMC retained
Mathurapur: TMC retained
Diamond Harbour: TMC retained
These election results underscore Muslim voters’ critical role and reflect a broader trend towards supporting parties with inclusive policies.
