With the three major parties not favouring many candidates from the community and polarisation of voters, Karnataka hasn’t elected a Muslim MP since 2004.
Experts say delimitation of constituencies also had an impact on winnability, although Muslim leaders say that should not be a factor while giving representation.
Of the 84 MPs Karnataka sent to Parliament since 2004, Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi, from Kalaburgi in 2004, was the only Muslim. The Congress and JD(S) together had only 11 Muslim candidate from 2004 to 2019, while the BJP had none. These 11 make up for less than 10% of the seats (112) that were at play, while Karnataka has more than 12% Muslims.
“There are no clear Muslim constituencies where the community votes decide the winner,” said political scientist Muzaffar Assadi. “Parties also don’t encourage leaders to grow beyond community identity markers. Another factor is that there has been a polarisation of voters, especially when the BJP is contesting.”
He explains that polarisation doesn’t have an impact where Congress and JD(S) fight each other — voters see candidates as party members — but the Hindu-Muslim divide is apparent when the BJP is in play “Hindu votes get consolidated,” he said.
This year, too, there is just one Muslim in the fray Congress’ Rizwan Arshad from Bengaluru Central and only time can tell if the state will break the trend. Karnataka has not elected too many Muslims over the years: There were two in 1989, BM Mujahid from Dharwad South and CK Jaffer Sharief from Bengaluru North, and one in each of the election from 1991 to 2004.
Between 1991 and 2004, Sharief won thrice (1991, 1998 and 1999), Qamar ul Islam won in 1996 and Saradgi in 2004. Even in these elections, the Congress and JD(S) together fielded Muslims in not more than five seats.
Former deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa last week told former MLA Iqbal Ansari to “sweep the BJP offices for 10 years” if he wanted a ticket, reflecting BJP’s stand. Muslim leaders within the Congress were hoping to get at least three seats this time, including one in Bidar, where the party eventually opted for Eshwar Khandre.
Congress’ Roshan Baig rubbished theories on winnability. “There’s a lot of talk about social justice, but where is it? Do all the candidates win? The idea is to encourage people, give them representation and back them to win,” he said.
Courtesy : TOI
