Seemandhra Muslims seem to have rallied behind the YSRCP in large numbers, as observed by the analysts, after completion of polling in 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha constituencies across the region.
With Congress party to a great extent weakened in the region after their decision to bifurcate the state, Muslims at the present time see the YSRCP as an alternative, experts said.
According to Khader Mohiuddin, an analyst from Vijayawada said, “YSR had given minorities four percent reservation apart from fee reimbursement schemes. It is natural that they feel that a positive step was taken to help them.”
“A large section of Muslims doesn’t want the TDP to come to power as it has the BJP as an ally. The Congress is in no position to reap any advantage,” he added.
According to experts, Muslims are angry with the TDP as its party chief Chandrababu Naidu, despite expressing regret over coalition with the BJP in 2004, has now made the same ‘mistake’ again.
The Muslims make up nine percent of population in Seemandhra, comprising around 12.5 percent in Rayalseema and 4.5 percent in Coastal Andhra. Observers indicated that there are over 20 constituencies with 15 percent to 30 percent Muslims, where their vote will be crucial and the candidate supported by them could win. “Muslim vote matters in Kurnool town, Kadapa, Nandyal, Anantapur, Hindupur, Kadiri and Guntur among other Assembly constituencies,” said Syed Waseem Ahmed, a lawyer.
Some eminent Muslims, including scholars of Islam, however, sought to unite the Muslim vote recently in favour of Congress candidate Shaik Abdul Waheed, who is contesting the Guntur Lok Sabha seat.
There is a outlook within the Muslim community that all parties have, most of the time ignored Muslim representation. “For instance, Hindupura MLA Abdul Ghani has been given short shrift by TDP which replaced him with Balakrishna. TDP loyalist and politburo member Lal Jan Basha’s family has been ignored after his death, while Srikakulam MP Yerran Naidu’s son Ram Mohan Naidu was being fielded,” another expert said.