Maharashtra: Muslims look for development, willing to vote for Sena-BJP candidates

Mumbai: The members of the Muslim community are willing vote for the Shiv Sena and BJP candidates in the assembly election provided that the candidates should have good connect and rapport with the community. Many in the community from Malegaon, Dhule and the adjoining areas are of the view that the basic issues such as education, health with others need to be given more importance. “Nobody can say that the Muslims will vote for a particular political party. Now, the community will vote to a candidate who has good connect and rapport with them. It does not matter whether the candidate is from Shiv Sena or BJP. If they are working to resolve our issues, then we will vote for them,” said Sayyed Aasif Ali, a social activist and a district Haj committee member, speaking to Firstpost. He added that the community would vote for the Shiv Sena candidate Dada Bhuse who is contesting the assembly election from the Malegaon outer constituency. Also, Anil Gote, the sitting MLA and BJP candidate from Dhule, has done lot of development work for the community in his constituency. “So, many Muslims are supporting them and will vote for both of them irrespective of their party. It’s because they are always there for our help. So, we don’t care whether he is from Sena or any other party because we feel that he works for our community’s development,” he added. [caption id=“attachment_1732551” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray. PTI[/caption] Ansari Saleem Ahmed, a hotel owner in Malegaon also seconded his view. “But, the first preference would be to given the Congress as it has launched many schemes for the community’s welfare. That does not mean that the Muslims will vote only for Congress across the state. Nobody can take us for granted. If the Sena or BJP candidates are working for the community’s development, then we will vote for them. Ultimately, we now want the development,” he said. Gote, an independent MLA, who was one of the accused in the Telgi fake stamp paper scam and has been cleared off all the charges, is contesting the assembly election from the BJP. “Many Muslims from the adjoining areas such as Aurangabad, Jalna, Malegaon come to see the development and also thank me for doing it. I am not doing for the votes but I believe in the inclusive development of all communities,” he said. While the Samajwadi Party, who is in talks with NCP to forge an alliance, and All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen’s (AIMIM) have also fielded their candidates, both of these parties are likely to make little impact in the assembly election. “These parties are making an emotional appeal to the community and many youngsters are attracted to them due to their fierce speeches. It is easy to give fierce speeches and make tall claims. But, they should understand that the community’s thinking is changing and now we want development,” said a shop owner, requesting anonymity. He added that these parties would get votes but it would not have much impact on the election. “Many of us feel that we have been emotionally exploited by the congress and NCP so far. Now, everyone is thinking about the development of the community for the bright future of their children,” he added.