Key players vying for the community’s support ahead of the November 20 voting
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW – The political landscape in Uttar Pradesh has become increasingly heated as crucial by-elections approach in the state. The competition for Muslim votes has reached new heights, with prominent players like the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), and Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) all looking to secure Muslim voter support. This intensified competition has added significant pressure on SP president Akhilesh Yadav, who now faces an uphill battle to retain the Muslim vote base that was crucial to his party’s success in previous elections.
The Samajwadi Party has sharpened its focus on the Muslim vote, particularly in the wake of the Maharashtra assembly elections. In a move that underscores the party’s dedication to the community, Akhilesh recently met with the family of Azam Khan, a prominent Muslim leader, signalling his party’s seriousness about securing Muslim support. The SP’s strategy aims to consolidate the Muslim vote, which had been a stronghold during the Party for Democratic Alliance (PDA) coalition in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
“Through this meeting, we are sending a clear message to the Muslim community that we remain committed to their cause,” Akhilesh said. Akhilesh will also hold a public meeting in Mumbai, where the SP has Muslim candidates contesting in two seats. Despite this, the situation has changed significantly since the last elections, with the contest for Muslim votes now being seen as a battle between non-BJP parties in the by-elections.
A major challenge to SP’s ambitions comes from AIMIM, which is targeting the Muslim vote bank in Uttar Pradesh. The party is contesting in areas with substantial Muslim populations, including Meerapur, Kundarki, and Ghaziabad. The party’s stronghold is evident in constituencies like Meerapur (40% Muslim voters), Sisamau (45%), and Kundarki (65%). Owaisi’s appeal to Muslim voters has disrupted the traditional dynamics, with his party positioning itself as a viable alternative to the SP.
Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party is also actively trying to make a mark in these by-elections. By forming a Dalit-Muslim alliance, Azad hopes to break into the Muslim vote bank while also appealing to Dalit voters. His efforts to build a broader coalition have injected new energy into the contest, further complicating the race for the Muslim vote.
The Bahujan Samaj Party, under the leadership of Mayawati, is also striving to regain its foothold in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape. The BSP sees the by-election as an opportunity to reconnect with the Muslim vote, which it has relied on in the past. The party is leveraging its traditional support base to challenge the dominance of SP in the Muslim-majority constituencies.
The BSP has intensified its campaign efforts, with senior leaders focusing on Muslim-dominated areas in a bid to make inroads into SP’s vote bank. “We are committed to ensuring that the Muslim community’s voice is heard and represented properly in these elections,” a BSP spokesperson said.
While the SP is keen to maintain its Muslim support base, it is also careful not to alienate Azam Khan’s loyalists. Despite facing political setbacks, Azam Khan remains a highly influential figure within the party’s Muslim constituency. Akhilesh Yadav recently met with Dr. Tazin Fatima, Azam Khan’s wife, to reassure her that the false cases filed against him would be addressed.
“Once we are in power, we will ensure that justice is served and the cases against Azam Khan are withdrawn,” Akhilesh promised. This gesture is seen as part of SP’s broader effort to maintain Azam Khan’s support base and prevent defections to rival parties.
The Samajwadi Party is also making significant strides in Maharashtra, where Muslim voters play a crucial role. SP state president Abu Asim Azmi has been at the forefront of this campaign, focusing on Muslim-majority areas. Alongside Azmi, SP MP Iqra Hasan has been campaigning in the state, holding public meetings and engaging with the Muslim community to secure its backing in the upcoming assembly elections.
With the Uttar Pradesh by-election approaching, the competition for the Muslim vote is more intense than ever. The Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, AIMIM, and Azad Samaj Party are all working hard to secure the allegiance of Muslim voters, making it a critical battleground. Akhilesh Yadav faces a tough challenge in retaining the Muslim vote amidst rising competition from these parties, and how well he navigates this complex political environment could determine the outcome of the by-election. As political players place their bets, the Muslim vote will remain a key factor in the future of Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape.
