In a major challenge to Karnataka’s Congress, Janata Dal (Secular) has planned to field a big number of Muslim candidates in as many as 30 constituencies in the 2023 assembly polls, according to senior functionaries, the Times of India reported.
Further, causing more trouble for Congress, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), which contested only three seats in 2018, also plans to field candidates in more constituencies.
“Congress’ monopoly will be broken. We will remind Muslims that former PM HD Deve Gowda is the only leader who genuinely cares about the community,” CM Ibrahim, JD(S) state president told TOI.
He said that JD(S) is looking for Muslim candidates in about 30 constituencies as ground reports are favourable in these segments. If they are able to field that many, it will be the highest by a major party in the state.
Congress is the only party that has minority representatives in the Lower House with eight legislators (seven Muslims and one Christian) from minority communities in the 224-member assembly. However, JD(S), SDPI, the Aam Aadmi Party and others plan to appeal to minorities by claiming their interests will be better protected by smaller parties and therefore should desert the national party.
In 2018, Congress had fielded 18 candidates. The Muslim community accounts for nearly 13% of the electorate across Karnataka. Their support is decisive in some 60 seats where community votes tally 20% or more.
Congress Muslim functionaries such as R Roshan Baig and CM Ibrahim have quit the party since 2018. Muslims are also on alert following a series of incidents that took place recently, including the ban on hijab in colleges and the ban on azan over loudspeakers.
Chamarajpet legislator BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, who had an open fight with KPCC president DK Shivakumar over the chief ministerial candidate issue, is also said to be considering moving to JD(S).
Meanwhile, the regional party had fielded Muslim candidates in Sindagi, Basvakalyana, and Hangal segments in byelections.
Afsar Kudlipet, SDPI general secretary told TOI, “Congress has used Muslims as a vote bank but has failed to address their concerns. The party will be punished this time.”
However, KPCC working president Saleem Ahmed told the newspaper, that Muslims are aware that Congress is the only party that can defeat BJP. “They will never support SDPI or JD(S), which is the B team of BJP.”
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Rabia Shireen is a Staff Reporter at The Cognate.
