In First Litmus Take a look at After Op Sindoor, Congress Eyes Muslim Vote Forward Of Bihar Polls
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Having tried to realize floor with the Hindu vote and never discovered sustained success, the Congress now appears to be doubling down on its attraction to minority communities.
Seat-sharing talks and the Bihar elections will likely be a crucial second for the Congress’s minority outreach technique. (Picture: PTI)
The primary massive election that the Congress will face as a litmus take a look at after Operation Sindoor will likely be Bihar. With a 17 per cent Muslim inhabitants, Bihar presents a vital electoral alternative, with the Congress, JD(U), and RJD all eyeing the identical vote pie. Nonetheless, this battle for the Muslim vote shouldn’t be restricted to Bihar. Nationally, the just about 20 per cent Muslim votebank could possibly be a game-changer for the Congress in its broader revival technique.
In recent times, the Congress has tried to strike a steadiness between wooing the Hindutva constituencies and interesting to minority voters. Nonetheless, it stays acutely conscious that in the case of the Hindu votebank, the BJP continues to be the pure first selection. In areas the place Congress does safe Hindu votes, it’s typically not for non secular causes however as a result of native dynamics or disenchantment with the BJP. Given this actuality, the celebration seems to be falling again on what was as soon as its conventional stronghold — the Muslim vote.
It was not with out motive that former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as soon as advocated for the speedy implementation of the Sachar Committee suggestions and emphasised growing the rights of Muslims. This coverage orientation underlined the Congress’s dedication to minority welfare and social justice.
Having tried to realize floor with the Hindu vote and never discovered sustained success, the Congress now appears to be doubling down on its attraction to minority communities. However that is simpler stated than carried out. Not solely does it face robust competitors from regional events such because the RJD and JD(U), it additionally has to cope with vote-sharing challenges with its personal allies. The 17 per cent Muslim vote share in Bihar is being hotly contested, and Congress is within the race with each allies and opponents.
This broader context helps clarify a number of current political positions taken by the Congress. Take, for instance, the case of Operation Sindoor. Cognizant of the backlash it confronted for questioning the Balakot airstrikes up to now, the celebration has taken a extra calibrated method this time. Whereas publicly supporting the federal government’s stance on the operation, sure leaders of the celebration have additionally elevate questions subtly. Udit Raj, as an example, questioned the non secular undertone of the operation’s identify, suggesting that the BJP tends to hyperlink navy actions to Hindu symbols. The subtext was clear: to ship a message to its minority base that the Congress nonetheless challenges the BJP’s majoritarian leanings.
The celebration’s stand on the Iran-Israel battle additionally displays its evolving minority technique. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered one of many sharpest critiques of the federal government’s silence on Gaza, accusing it of ignoring human rights violations. “India is standing silent as Israel annihilates a nation,” she stated, making it clear the place the Congress’s sympathies lie. Her carrying a pro-Palestine tote bag in Parliament solely additional strengthened the message — a calculated effort to align with minority sentiment.
On the state stage too, groundwork has begun. The Karnataka Congress authorities lately introduced 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in authorities contract jobs and proposed a rise in housing reservation for minorities from 10 per cent to fifteen per cent. These selections are usually not simply governance strikes however political indicators, conveying {that a} Congress-led authorities on the Centre or in states like Bihar or Kerala would prioritise minority welfare.
Trying forward, seat-sharing talks and the Bihar elections will likely be a crucial second for the Congress’s minority outreach technique. Regardless of its alliance with the RJD, the Congress is clearly making an attempt to carve out an impartial attraction amongst Muslim voters. The induction of leaders like former JD(U) MP Anwar Ansari and different Pasmanda Muslim figures into its fold is a part of this push.
Nonetheless, in its try to reclaim the Muslim vote whereas additionally appeasing some Hindu constituencies, the Congress typically seems directionless — caught between conflicting impulses. Its battle to decide on between consolidating the Muslim vote and pursuing a gentle Hindutva line leaves the celebration at political crossroads.
Pallavi Ghosh has coated politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als…Learn Extra
Pallavi Ghosh has coated politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als… Learn Extra
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