MIM victory makes 'secular' parties jittery

Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen's success in Maharashtra elections has rattled several mainstream political parties that till now have depended on Muslim voters for their electoral success.

Majlis, which had put up 24 candidates, had managed to win two seats and stood a close second in few more constituencies. In several more, it stood third.

Statistics also show that most of the constituencies, MIM has significantly eaten into the traditional Muslim support base of parties like the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party. Both these parties used to garner Muslim votes till now.

What is interesting is that MIM's dream run was not limited to the areas of Maharashtra that once formed part of Nizam's state. It did well in all Muslim populated areas.

In fact, one of its MLA is from the heart of Mumbai, which is surely a cause for worry for the so-called secular parties.

In seats like Bandra, Kurla, Versova, East Bhivandi, Mumbra Kalwa, North and South Nanded, Sholapur and Mumba Devi, the MIM performed creditably well. The party hopes to do well in the Mumbai and Thane civic bodies, which are due in the coming few months.

The MIM, which is looking to expand beyond its Hyderabad citadel, has eyed on Maharashtra, which has a significant Muslim population, and north-eastern Karnataka, which was formerly part of Hyderabad state.

It is also planning to expand in Uttar Pradesh, which has close to 3 crore Muslim population. The party will soon open its office in Lucknow and is planning to enter into UP in a big way.

- Sakshipost