Muslims in Delhi have largely thrown their weight behind the AAP in the last two assembly elections. But the party’s soft Hindutva, its positions on the NRC-CAA protests and the Tablighi Jamaat-Covid controversy, the Delhi riots, and issues of development have triggered disenchantment within sections of the community.
Of seven assembly constituencies which have Muslims as the decisive voter, Newslaundry visited two where the AIMIM has fielded Delhi riots accused to utilise the anger. These are former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, who is contesting from Mustafabad, and former Jamia Millia Islamia alumni network president Shifa-ur-Rehman, who is a candidate in Okhla. Mustafabad was hit by the 2020 Delhi riots while Okhla has the Jamia campus and Shaheen Bagh. Both areas are affected by development challenges.
But do voters see them as viable alternatives? Do voters who prefer the Congress actually vote for the party too? Many voters, meanwhile, say the AAP is the only real challenger to the BJP.
Watch to understand what will decide the Muslim vote in Delhi.
Support our NL Sena project on Delhi elections to uncover issues that are usually pushed to the margins by high-octane campaigns.
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