In Telangana, Muslim voters are divided but seem to favor TRS

Hyderabad: Unlike the last badembly elections, in which it was clearly stated who to vote for, Abdul Taha's relatives split over the choice of voters in the next elections.

"While half of my extended family will likely vote for the Telugu Desam Party-Congress alliance, the other half think it's best to support the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, who did good work for Muslims, "said Dr. Taha. , Assistant Professor at the Center for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Maudana Azad Urdu National University (MANUU), Hyderabad. Taha comes from the district of Suryapet and his relatives live in Muslim-dominated districts, such as Mehbadnagar, Nalgongda and Khammam.

"TRS proponents cite programs such as Shaadi Mubarak, minority schools, scholarships abroad and a budget for minorities", explained Taha. "However, those in favor of the TDP-Congress alliance believe that KCR is making fun of Muslims by delivering floral Urdu speeches. In addition, it is also feared that TRS may again badociate with the BJP, "he added.

According to Taha, the situation in which his loved ones find himself represents more or less the mood of Muslims in the state.

Telugu writer and activist Yusuf Baba, better known as "Sky Baba", echoes Taha's observations. "Muslims are both happy and angry at KCR," said Baba, a native of Nalgonda. "Happy to have built medium-sized English-language boarding schools for Muslims, to have initiated the Shaadi Mubarak project and to have one of his deputy chief ministers, who is Muslim." "Said Baba The Wire . "At the same time, Muslims are wary of KCR because of its proximity to BJP and Modi recently," he added.

Apart from the proximity of KCR to BJP, the claims made in the name of the work done for the welfare of minorities also vary.

"There is a huge difference between what KCR says and the reality," said Amjedullah Khan, a spokesman for Majis Bachao Tahreek (MBT), a local political party. Highlighting the gaps in the budget allocated to the welfare of minorities and the actual amount spent over three years, he said that "even half of the amount reserved was spent last year".

Telangana Congress President N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, BJP President K. Laxman, and MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi are all facing criminal charges.

"He spent only 41.19% of the budget planned last year". "The previous year was even worse, barely 27.89%. And this year, according to the latest available data, only 29.24% of the reserved budget has been spent. "

Taha had to make almost the same statement about the minority budget. "Another important point about the minority budget is that no more than 60% of the allocated amount has been released in the last three years," said Majlis leader Bachao Tehreek.

It should be noted that with respect to Shaadi Mubarak's project, it is not specific to Islam. The program is for women over 18 years old. Among non-Muslims, he is known and promoted as Kalyana Lakshmi. The program was launched in October 2014 for SC / STs and minorities, but was later extended to all.

The vote of the Muslims will play a crucial role in the choice of the winner of the next elections. Muslims constitute 12.7% of the total population of the state. Out of a total of 119 constituencies, the community plays a decisive role on nearly 30 seats. The importance of Muslim votes is also evident from the fact that both the TRS and the grand alliance (Congress, TDP and others) are striving to seduce Muslim voters.

According to Fasihullah Shaikh, editor-in-chief of Hyderabad Youth Mirror State Muslims can be divided into two categories: rural and urban. "Rural Muslims are traditional Congressional voters and seeing new energy in Congress, they will probably vote again for Congress," said Shaikh The Wire . "As for urban Muslims, most of them live in and around Hyderabad and are probably intact with AIMIM, so in support of TRS."

Just like Taha and Baba, Shaikh also maintained from now on Muslim voters are divided. Despite these findings, many believe that the majority of Muslims prefer TRS. Part of the reason for their conviction rests on AIMIM's full support for the ruling TRS.

Rahul and Sonia Gandhi with alliance leaders at the rally in the suburbs of Telangana. Credit: PTI

The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), the Indian leader at the helm of all India, is supporting TRS. "I am confident that K. Chandrasekhar Rao will be the next Chief Minister," Owaisi said recently. The party can directly influence voters in more than 20 constituencies, including seven won in the last two elections. In 2014, the party disputed 20 seats and performed fairly well. However, this time, he contests only eight seats while the party initially filed nominations for 21.

According to a report published in LiveMint, "This decision is part of of his tactical understanding with Acting Head of Government, K. Chandrashekar Rao, of the Rashtra Samithi (RTS), and could give Rao a definite advantage.Seats with considerable Muslim voters. "In addition to AIMIM, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, an influential politico-religious organization with a substantial support base throughout Telangana, has supported TRS.

In addition, there appears to be a preference for KCR among Muslim government employees. "It's a compulsion for Muslims to vote for TRS this time because Congress is not able to form the government," said a government employee under the guise of anonymity "K CR might not have done enough for Muslims, but after Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, he is considered a friendly ruler of Muslims, "he said. Another employee of the Muslim government expressed a similar position.

Meanwhile, a number of "Muslim intellectuals" met Rajya Sabha, MP Ahmed Patel, also political advisor to Sonia Gandhi, during her visit to the capital, and promised them their support for the Great Alliance. to defeat the TRS in Telangana.

But according to a veteran journalist, who requested anonymity, it is unlikely that the meeting will have a significant influence on electoral politics. "They are good for discussions in halls and hall meetings but can not influence voters. They know it very well themselves, "said the reporter.