Parties eye Muslim votes as municipal polls reach final stage
Political parties have intensified efforts to attract Muslim voters during the final phase of campaigning for municipal elections in Karimnagar district. Congress, BRS, BJP and MIM are making claims and counterclaims as the community is expected to play a decisive role
Karimnagar: The final stage of campaigning for municipal elections saw political parties stepping up efforts to attract Muslim voters, who form a sizeable population in almost all municipalities and municipal corporations in the erstwhile Karimnagar district.
Around 15 divisions in the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation are dominated by Muslim electorates, while the community also has a significant presence in several other divisions. While the ruling Congress party is seeking to convince community members by claiming that it is implementing schemes for the welfare of minorities, the opposition BRS, which ruled the State for 10 years, is recalling the schemes it had introduced for minorities.
Meanwhile, the BJP has suddenly shown a softer approach towards the Muslim community. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said he was not against Muslims but only opposed to the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), which he alleged was responsible for the backwardness of the Muslim community. Afraid of defeat, the ruling Congress party had entered into a secret agreement with the MIM to hand over the Karimnagar Mayor post to it, he alleged.
Contrary to this claim, MIM national president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi appealed to community members not to vote for the BRS, alleging that such votes would automatically benefit the BJP. Owaisi made these remarks while campaigning in favour of MIM candidates in Karimnagar on Saturday night.
The MIM, which had 15 corporators in the previous body, is contesting in 15 divisions of the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation. It is expected to play a decisive role in the election of the Mayor if no political party secures a clear majority. Earlier, the party was also given the Deputy Mayor post as part of an understanding.