Sceptical of BJP, Varanasi Muslims veer towards Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party
Lets hope Varanasi votes tomorrow independent of caste for the cause of cleaning up this nation of corrupt systems and people.
This coverage from HT.....
The oldest city in the world was in a frenzy on Thursday. From early evening to nearly 9.30pm, from the BHU campus to the BJP headquarters 5km away, Narendra Modi's road-show was thronged by BJP supporters in their saffron caps. On a low key but as energetically, AAP volunteers continued their street corner meetings and padyatras, convincing doubtful voters that an upset was possible.
Watching the political drama quietly were the city's Muslims, carefully weighing their options.
Sceptical of the BJP's show of strength but confused about how to stop the tide, they were clear about wanting to defeat Modi but somewhat resigned to his possible win. Torn between old loyalties and new possibilities, and irritated at the constant gaze of politicians and the media on their voting behaviour, Muslim community leaders are grappling with their dilemmas. But if there is one common thread, it is their increasing support for AAP.
Mohammad Abdullah Ansari, a respected elder in Bazar Sadanand who had once fought an assembly election on a BSP ticket, told HT that Muslims are impressed with Kejriwal for his willingness to take on Modi. Giving a glimpse into how Muslims decide to vote, he said, “Look, we cannot decide the outcome on our own. We are 3.5 lakh in a 15-lakh-strong constituency. We can judge who the best candidate positioned to defeat Modi is, depending on who has the most Hindu votes to which we can add.”
Ansari said the support of local strongman Mukhtar Ansari to Congress candidate Ajay Rai had backfired. “Mukhtar doesn't control Muslim votes to the extent thought. And Rai's own community of Bhumihars got upset with the support and have moved to the BJP.” He feels that Kejriwal now has the support of educated Hindus as well as people in rural pockets. “The decision will be taken on the final day (May 12), but 70-80% Muslims have made up their minds to go with AAP,” he says.
Traditional Congress supporters, however, say the division in the community is sharper. In Jagjivanpur, weaver Badrul Hassan says about 60% of the votes will go to Kejriwal and 20% to Rai. He is irritated when asked why Muslims are not consolidating. “Why is everyone asking only about Muslims? We are just 20% of the population. Does Hindu society vote together? Why this expectation that we will vote together? I am with the Congress.”
In Nakkighat, the mood is similar. At a paan shop, sitting with its owner Sagar Chaurasia, is Bilal who says he is impressed with Kejriwal because he is a clean man whose teams have come to the area and campaigned vigorously. Chaurasia nods. Reyazuddin, sitting nearby reiterates the sentiment. “25% votes to Congress from this area is confirmed. But the rest are with AAP,” he says. But he looks down wistfully and says, “But Modi will win.”
Back in Jagjivanpur, when asked about the implications of a Modi win, Shamshul Arifeen said, “We may not want him, but we are not scared of him either. Varanasi will remain home to all communities living in harmony. Modi or no Modi, that cannot be changed.” more
This coverage from HT.....
The oldest city in the world was in a frenzy on Thursday. From early evening to nearly 9.30pm, from the BHU campus to the BJP headquarters 5km away, Narendra Modi's road-show was thronged by BJP supporters in their saffron caps. On a low key but as energetically, AAP volunteers continued their street corner meetings and padyatras, convincing doubtful voters that an upset was possible.
Watching the political drama quietly were the city's Muslims, carefully weighing their options.
Sceptical of the BJP's show of strength but confused about how to stop the tide, they were clear about wanting to defeat Modi but somewhat resigned to his possible win. Torn between old loyalties and new possibilities, and irritated at the constant gaze of politicians and the media on their voting behaviour, Muslim community leaders are grappling with their dilemmas. But if there is one common thread, it is their increasing support for AAP.
Mohammad Abdullah Ansari, a respected elder in Bazar Sadanand who had once fought an assembly election on a BSP ticket, told HT that Muslims are impressed with Kejriwal for his willingness to take on Modi. Giving a glimpse into how Muslims decide to vote, he said, “Look, we cannot decide the outcome on our own. We are 3.5 lakh in a 15-lakh-strong constituency. We can judge who the best candidate positioned to defeat Modi is, depending on who has the most Hindu votes to which we can add.”
Ansari said the support of local strongman Mukhtar Ansari to Congress candidate Ajay Rai had backfired. “Mukhtar doesn't control Muslim votes to the extent thought. And Rai's own community of Bhumihars got upset with the support and have moved to the BJP.” He feels that Kejriwal now has the support of educated Hindus as well as people in rural pockets. “The decision will be taken on the final day (May 12), but 70-80% Muslims have made up their minds to go with AAP,” he says.
Traditional Congress supporters, however, say the division in the community is sharper. In Jagjivanpur, weaver Badrul Hassan says about 60% of the votes will go to Kejriwal and 20% to Rai. He is irritated when asked why Muslims are not consolidating. “Why is everyone asking only about Muslims? We are just 20% of the population. Does Hindu society vote together? Why this expectation that we will vote together? I am with the Congress.”
In Nakkighat, the mood is similar. At a paan shop, sitting with its owner Sagar Chaurasia, is Bilal who says he is impressed with Kejriwal because he is a clean man whose teams have come to the area and campaigned vigorously. Chaurasia nods. Reyazuddin, sitting nearby reiterates the sentiment. “25% votes to Congress from this area is confirmed. But the rest are with AAP,” he says. But he looks down wistfully and says, “But Modi will win.”
Back in Jagjivanpur, when asked about the implications of a Modi win, Shamshul Arifeen said, “We may not want him, but we are not scared of him either. Varanasi will remain home to all communities living in harmony. Modi or no Modi, that cannot be changed.” more
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The frenzy noticed in Varanasi just before the polls, is a direct result of the kind of politics and no holds barred approach by most parties, to gain politically. That only brings forth the apprehension that these parties continue to give priority to minor gains too and would not stop at even compromising the national interest to achieve their selfish goals. AAP has to recognise this negativity in political system and add this as a goal along with fight against corruption. We should start working in creating the 'INDIANS' as against the population divided on religious/ caste/ region etc. lines. A divided community will not be able to go far and we shall be diluting our potential to be the world leaders. more
May 11
The weaker sections in all societies seek for their Savior (Massiha) to protect them during days of crises. Muslim minority already having tested Congress which proved cunningly corrupt and communal--- and BJP openly Muslim baitors --has one choice to support an honest and true secular party. On Sun, May 11, 2014 at 9:24 AM, Devika Nair wrote: > more
May 11
Not a good sign for country  You have written that Muslims will vote for Kejriwal to defeat Modi not because thry were impressed by ideology no with a single reason to defeat election should have been on idealogy. Sent from Samsung Mobile -------- Original message -------- From: Devika Nair Date:05/11/2014 10:33 (GMT+05:30) To: kntewari@yahoo.com Subject: New post "Sceptical of BJP, Varanas..." in [Aam Aadmi Party Delhi/NCR] Devika Nair Devika Nair posted a message in "Aam Aadmi Party Delhi/NCR". Subject: Sceptical of BJP, Varanasi Muslims veer towards Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party. Lets hope Varanasi votes tomorrow independent of caste for the cause of cleaning up this nation of corrupt systems and people. This coverage from HT..... The oldest city in the world was in a frenzy on Thursday. From early evening to nearly 9.30pm, from the BHU campus to the BJP headquarters 5km away, Narendra Modi's road-show was thronged by BJP supporters in their saffron caps. On a low key but as energetically, AAP volunteers continued their street corner meetings and padyatras, convincing doubtful voters that an upset was possible. Watching the political drama quietly were the city's Muslims, carefully weighing their options. Sceptical of the BJP's show of strength but confused about how to stop the tide, they were clear about wanting to defeat Modi but somewhat resigned to his possible win. Torn between old loyalties and new possibilities, and irritated at the constant gaze of politicians and the media on their voting behaviour, Muslim community leaders are grappling with their dilemmas. But if there is one common thread, it is their increasing support for AAP. Mohammad Abdullah Ansari, a respected elder in Bazar Sadanand who had once fought an assembly election on a BSP ticket, told HT that Muslims are impressed with Kejriwal for his willingness to take on Modi. Giving a glimpse into how Muslims decide to vote, he said, âLook, we cannot decide the outcome on our own. We are 3.5 lakh in a 15-lakh-strong constituency. We can judge who the best candidate positioned to defeat Modi is, depending on who has the most Hindu votes to which we can add.â Ansari said the support of local strongman Mukhtar Ansari to Congress candidate Ajay Rai had backfired. âMukhtar doesn't control Muslim votes to the extent thought. And Rai's own community of Bhumihars got upset with the support and have moved to the BJP.â He feels that Kejriwal now has the support of educated Hindus as well as people in rural pockets. âThe decision will be taken on the final day (May 12), but 70-80% Muslims have made up their minds to go with AAP,â he says. Traditional Congress supporters, however, say the division in the community is sharper. In Jagjivanpur, weaver Badrul Hassan says about 60% of the votes will go to Kejriwal and 20% to Rai. He is irritated when asked why Muslims are not consolidating. âWhy is everyone asking only about Muslims? We are just 20% of the population. Does Hindu society vote together? Why this expectation that we will vote together? I am with the Congress.â In Nakkighat, the mood is similar. At a paan shop, sitting with its owner Sagar Chaurasia, is Bilal who says he is impressed with Kejriwal because he is a clean man whose teams have come to the area and campaigned vigorously. Chaurasia nods. Reyazuddin, sitting nearby reiterates the sentiment. â25% votes to Congress from this area is confirmed. But the rest are with AAP,â he says. But he looks down wistfully and says, âBut Modi will win.â Back in Jagjivanpur, when asked about the implications of a Modi win, Shamshul Arifeen said, âWe may not want him, but we are not scared of him either. Varanasi will remain home to all communities living in harmony. Modi or no Modi, that cannot be changed.â Reply Reply to this email to post a comment. If you believe that this post is inappropriate for this Circle, report it. This email was sent to kntewari@yahoo.com. If you don't want to receive emails from LocalCircles in future, please Unsubscribe. LocalCircles, Inc., 1556 Halford Ave., Suite 290, Santa Clara, CA USA 95051. 107 Urbtech Matrix Tower, Plot No. B-4, Sector - 132, Noida, India, 201304.Privacy Policy. more
May 11
