Indian Elections: Muslim numbers marginally better

ANKARA

The just concluded elections have shown a marginal increase in the representation of Muslims in the lower house (Lok Sabha) of India's bicameral Parliament.

Against 24 law makers, elected in 2014, the number has increased to 27 in the 2019 general elections.

The 7-phase elections for 17th Lok Sabha started on April 11 and ended on May 19. The vote count on May 23 showed rightest Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi making a resounding return to power with an absolute majority.

Muslims are the largest minority in the country with a population of 183 million, constituting 14% of total population. But their share in the parliament has remained below 5%.

Interestingly, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its tally of 303 does not have a single Muslim lawmaker. However, its ally the Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJP) has one Muslim MP Mehboob Ali Qaisar in its ranks.

The BJP had fielded seven Muslims, 3 from Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir and four from rest of India. But they lost, even as their party swept elections.

Interestingly out of 185 MPs to occupy opposition benches, 26 will be Muslims.

Records show that highest number of Muslim candidates -- 49 -- had won in 1980. In the first election to the Lok Sabha in 1952, only 11 Muslim were elected. The numbers peaked in 1980. But since then have been falling steadily.

The largest province of Uttar Pradesh (UP) has sent six Muslims -- perhaps one of the biggest contingents from all over the country.

In fact, Muslim candidates put up by the opposition alliance in the province performed better than others. The province with 19.5 % Muslim population, had drawn a blank in 2014.

Prominent Muslim faces in the new parliament include Asasuddin Owaisi, who won from South Indian city of Hyderbaad for the fourth time. His party All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidate Imtiaz Jaleel Syed, a former journalist, also won Aurangabad constituency in western coastal province of Maharashtra.

Another prominent Muslim law maker is Azam Khan, who trounced yesteryears cine star Jayaprada, by a margin of over one lakh votes. Shafiq-u-Rahman Barq also won from Sambhal in UP. The town is popularly called "little Turkey", for its Turkish descendent population accounts for 350,000 to 400, 000.

Two Muslim candidates have won from the north-eastern province of Assam, which accounts for 33% Muslim population. This BJP government had initiated a process of deregistering citizens in this province, who had their ancestors from Bangladesh.

India’s most-literate province of Kerala has sent three Muslim representatives to parliament.

The Lakshadweep -- an island located some 400km off India's west coast into the Arabian Sea, controlled directly by central government -- has sent one Muslim candidate to the Indian parliament. The island is home to over 95 % Muslim population.

From the state of Punjab, where Sikh community is in majority, one Muslim candidate representing main opposition Congress has made it to parliament.