Can PM Modi win elections in Muslim areas?

[OMB]

India’s PM Modi faces big electoral test in Muslim areas

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist party are making a serious bid for electoral victories in three states that have sizeable minority Muslim populations.

But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has for years been accused of stoking religious polarisation and discriminating against minorities, and faces stiff challenges in making inroads in the local elections.

Top BJP leaders, including Modi, have been campaigning heavily to win West Bengal and dislodge the state’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, as well as retain power in northeastern Assam and expand the party’s influence in the southern states.

The BJP has soared in Hindu-dominated regions in central and northern India since Modi was elected in 2014. The upcoming state elections are seen as crucial for the party to gain a foothold in the northeast and south. The prime minister also wants to project the BJP as a national party, replacing a dynastic Congress party that governed India for more than six decades after independence from British rule in 1947.

The run-up to the elections — which begin Saturday and are spread over a month, with results to be declared on May 2 — has been nothing short of dramatic.

In West Bengal, rival groups have attacked each other with sticks and rocks, and even set vehicles on fire. Images of the fiery and determined Banerjee, 66, who’s been addressing massive crowds from a wheelchair after a leg injury, have set the tone for a tough battle.

The elections also come as tens of thousands of farmers have rattled Modi’s government with months long protests on the fringes of the capital, New Delhi. And India’s economy, which was battered by the pandemic, is still struggling to emerge out of the crisis — another pivotal challenge for Modi, who came into office partly on promises of economic development. Coronavirus cases are surging steadily nationwide, after dropping earlier this year.

Down south, experts say the BJP’s chances remain low. The party is vying for a third spot in Kerala, currently ruled by a Communist Party-led government. And in legislative elections being held in Tamil Nadu in April, both the BJP and main opposition Congress party have allied with powerful regional parties as junior partners.

But in West Bengal and Assam, the BJP is banking on its strong Hindu nationalist ideology to draw votes. The party is trying to galvanise Hindu support by promising to deport hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims who fled decades ago to neighbouring West Bengal and Assam. In 2018, Home Minister Amit Shah described them as “termites” eating into India’s resources.

The BJP also enacted a controversial citizenship law in 2019 that provides a fast track to naturalisation for some migrants who entered the country illegally while fleeing religious persecution. But it excludes Muslims, which critics say is discriminatory and a violation of India’s constitution.

Nationwide, Muslims comprise nearly 14 per cent of the 1.4 billion population, while Hindus make up 80pc.

However, across three states that are heading to the polls — Assam, Kerala and West Bengal — Muslims comprise around 30pc of the population.

“[The BJP’s] success depends on if it is able to polarise Hindu votes to a huge extent, and get half of the 70pc of Hindu votes,” said Subir Bhowmik, a political analyst.

The test for Modi is likely to be the toughest in West Bengal, analysts say, where the political discourse has shifted from issues to personalities.

And despite anti-incumbency fatigue against Banerjee, Modi is facing off against one of the state’s most popular figures in history, experts say. She’s been in power for 10 years after unseating more than three decades of Communist Party rule in the state.

In 2016, the BJP made history by winning power in Assam for the first time, ending the Congress party’s 15-year rule there. Observers say the BJP pulled off the win by reiterating its Hindutva message, raising the issue of illegal Muslim immigration from Bangladesh to appeal to Hindu voters.

But this time around, the Congress has teamed up with a key Muslim political party. “This is expected to give a tough fight to the BJP in Assam,” said Akhil Ranjan Dutta, professor of police science at Gauhati University.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1614738/indias-pm-modi-faces-big-electoral-test-in-muslim-areas

“Its best hope remains in breaching West Bengal and consolidating its presence in Assam, its gateway to India’s northeast,” said analyst Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Don't think so and rightly so.

 

[Local.Dada]

Don't think so and rightly so.

Not really. Gujarat happened in 2002, Modi continued in power as CM till 2014. Modi’s policies have always been business friendly (thats what the whole Gujarat model was). Sure there will be some hype and propoganda like any political party but pretty much he has a good standing among the business community. Bohras (Gujarati merchant Muslims) actually have been pro-Modi. Don’t know if they actually love him but it’s a mutual relationship.

Similarly a lot of Muslim women from middle class have also come out in support for Modi during the whole triple talaq decision. May be a vocal minority but the support is there.

My house in India was undergoing some remodeling , so I was causally chatting with the contractor folk who happen to be UP muslims and they were praising Yogi for improving the law and order situation. Again not saying that means they will vote for him.

Stop painting muslims as these one dimensional folk who are a homogenous entity without the ability to look beyond a narrative and a group that votes as a block. You are doing them disservice here and in India.

I know some guys here all sound the same but you will see a lot of diversity on this very forum.

I am only quoting you to make a point to a larger audience. I have 0 expectations from you to understand any of this.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Not really. Gujarat happened in 2002, Modi continued in power as CM till 2014. Modi’s policies have always been business friendly (thats what the whole Gujarat model was). Sure there will be some hype and propoganda like any political party but pretty much he has a good standing among the business community. Bohras (Gujarati merchant Muslims) actually have been pro-Modi. Don’t know if they actually love him but it’s a mutual relationship.

Similarly a lot of Muslim women from middle class have also come out in support for Modi during the whole triple talaq decision. May be a vocal minority but the support is there.

My house in India was undergoing some remodeling , so I was causally chatting with the contractor folk who happen to be UP muslims and they were praising Yogi for improving the law and order situation. Again not saying that means they will vote for him.

Stop painting muslims as these one dimensional folk who are a homogenous entity without the ability to look beyond a narrative and a group that votes as a block. You are doing them disservice here and in India.

I know some guys here all sound the same but you will see a lot of diversity on this very forum.

I am only quoting you to make a point to a larger audience. I have 0 expectations from you to understand any of this.

So why are you crying over my opinion if you too know that they won't vote for him?

 

[Local.Dada]

So why are you crying over my opinion if you too know that they won't vote for him?

May be a small minority but some of them will. You are stereotyping everyone as if they will think the same way.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

May be a small minority but some of them will. You are stereotyping everyone as if they will think the same way.

Read the title again. Thread talks about Modi winning elections in Muslim areas. He won't win if only some of them vote and that is why I said "Don't think so and rightly so".

 

[MenInG]

As with all political things - it all depends on what Modi will offer to the local people.

 

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-will-campaign-on-caa-backfire-against-bjp-in-kerala/378610

As the high voltage campaign enters the last leg in the Kerala Assembly election, the contentious issue of the new Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is taking centre stage again as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s central leaders raking up the issue as the main plank.

On Sunday, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh‘s assertion that the party will enact CAA and bring law against triple talaq to protect the marriage of Muslim women had invited a strong reaction from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Vijayan had reiterated that his government will not implement the new citizenship laws in the state, which is discriminatory against minority communities in the country.

Kerala was the first state to pass a resolution in the Assembly demanding the repeal of the controversial law, after it was passed by the Parliament in December 2019. It was the first state first to move the Supreme Court challenging the CAA.

The BJP’s rhetoric on implementing the CAA will only boomerang for the party as several sections of society in the state were at the forefront of protests against the law, say political observers. The persistent utterances by the central leaders will only alienate the Muslim Community which comprises 27 per cent of the population of the state. It was the CPI (M) which benefited most from the unwavering stand taken by the government on the issue, points out analysts.

As most pre-poll surveys point to a second term for the ruling CPM led Left Democratic Front (LDF), the party is harping on the ‘strong image of Pinarayi Vijayan and the past five years of achievements of his government.

The LDF government’s stand against the CAA and proposed NRC has garnered support from the Muslim community in favour of the CPM in the recent local body elections, says Prof Akbar C of Malappuram government college. “In the local body elections, the Muslim community has taken a favourable position for the LDF since it has taken a strong stand against BJP,” he says.

Even in the 2016 Assembly elections, the Muslim dominated Northern Kerala, the LDF has registered an impressive victory except in the Malappuram district. In Malappuram, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) — a major ally of the Congress holds sway. The LDF won 49 out of 73 seats in the seven districts in Northern Kerala. This time, the CPM is hoping to breach the citadels of IUML riding on CAA and other issues say a CPM worker.

The shift in the voting pattern is palpable, says senior lawyer Abdul Rahman who hails from Calicut. The perception of the Muslim community towards the Left parties has changed because of the government’s stern position on CAA and issues like beef banning and Love Jihad. “I was surprised when some Congress loyalists told me that they will vote for the LDF this time because of CAA. They also have faith in Pinarayi Vijayan’s strong leadership,” says Rahman. Muslims are also apprehensive about the Congress’ dillydallying on soft Hindutva and the sidelining of Muslim leaders, he says.

The community was also enthused by how Pinarayi Vijayan took on Home Minister Amit Shah on CAA and NRC issue. “Muslims feel that no leader will show such courage to challenge Amit Shah,” he says.

Analysts also say that CPM will benefit more from the Congress-led UDF’s recent stand on the CAA. Its Muslim League candidate from Guruvayur KNA Khader announced that their party will help filling up of forms when CAA is implemented.

The CPM was quick to call out the hypocrisy of the stand taken by the UDF in the matter. The CPM also alleges that it’s a clear indication of the nexus between Congress and the BJP.

“The LDF government has taken a position not to implement CAA and NRC. And Congress says they will help in filling the forms. That’s the reason for BJP not fielding a candidate from Guruvayur to help the Congress,” says a CPM leader.

The CPI (M) has succeeded in improving its relationship with Sunni Muslims, an influential section in the region because of its anti-BJP stance on many issues. A senior journalist based in Calicut says that the IUML and UDF will have to worry more as religious outfits like Samastha Kerala Jamiat-ul-Ulema (EK faction) warming up to the LDF in recent times. The Sunnis had split in 1989 and one faction led by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar had always supported the Left.

“The E K Sunni faction has more influence and they were always with the UDF. They constitute above 50 per cent of the Muslim vote banks. Now with CAA and other issues, this faction getting closer to the LDF,” he says.

The Kerala government’s gesture of organizing a human chain against the CAA on last year’s Republic Day also had attracted the Muslim community more to them.

However, Dr Hameed C, professor, Farook College, Calicut says that there won’t be significant erosion from the Muslim League vote bank in this election. “Muslim League may retain its vote bank, but there won’t be a total swing for UDF like in the case of Parliament election,” he says.

However, there are also Muslim outfits like the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Welfare Party of India (WPI) that adopt a hardline position.

Hameed Vaniyambalam, the state president of WPI says that the CPM’s stand on CAA is only a fake narrative.” The CPM had no role in the widespread protest marches which were conducted in Kerala. Though Pinarayi assured that cases against the anti-CAA protestors will be dropped, it’s still not done,” he says. However, Vaniyambalam says that his party will either support LDF or UDF if there is a chance of defeating the BJP in any constituency.

 

[OMB]

I feel that BJP will find it difficult in Kerala. Maybe in W. bengal it is possible but Kerala voters have very different thoughts compared to other states where BJP was able to get a foothold using the administration failures of other governments. Not the same in Kerala.

 

[MenInG]

AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal - who is part of the Congress-led 'mahajot' (alliance) in the Assam election, and who identifies himself as "the only target of the BJP" - today accused the ruling party of polarising voters and reserving their venom for him because they had failed the people.

Mr Ajmal also took a swipe at senior BJP figures - like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah - for failing to acknowledge courtesy gifts of perfumes and fragrances he'd sent them; the 71-year-old is the owner of a successful perfumery established by his father.

"'Badruddin Ajmal' is an issue because they want to polarise... they are polarising the people by stoking fears of this dadiwalla (someone with a beard) or topiwala (someone wearing a hat) will become the Chief Minister and bring in Bangladeshis..." Mr Ajmal told NDTV.

"They (the BJP) didn't fulfill any of their promises (to the people of Assam). They said (ahead of the 2016 polls) that they would control price rise... but didn't. They promised to control floods... but didn't. They promised to open industries... but didn't. They've done nothing... have nothing to talk about... and so for every question, the answer is 'Badruddin Ajmal'," he added.

Mr Ajmal dismissed the BJP leaders and their campaign strategy as vapid and lacking in substance, and said it only revealed that they were not capable of running the government.

"Sometimes they dance... sometimes they ride a bicycle... but they don't talk on issues. And when anything is asked of them, they say 'Badruddin Ajmal'. What they are actually saying is that they are not capable of running the government," he said.

He warned the BJP - seeking a second successive term - that their tactic would not work, and that a united Congress-AIUDF would present a formidable challenge.

"Earlier Congress and our vote used to get divided. This time, the vote will not be divided. Congress candidates will get Muslim votes, they will be victorious..." he predicted.

In 2016 split votes between the Congress and AIUDF gave the BJP over 20 seats. This month he told NDTV he was confident of swaying 35 per cent of the votes in the alliance's favour.

"I am not a liability for the alliance... am an asset. People of Assam are not afraid of me... they love Badruddin Ajmal," he said, and squashed talk of him maybe becoming the Chief Minister.

"Who will be Chief Minister? The Congress will get more votes... so Chief Minister will be from that party," he said, adding, "Badruddin Ajmal's role will be to fulfill promises and keep people united."

Mr Ajmal was also asked about allegations that he has called on Indian Muslims to have more children; he firmly denied these claims, as well as the BJP's claims of a "communal" agenda

"... never said to increase population... said promote education among children... I believe in science, I run schools, colleges... can never say such a thing," he said, pointing out that nearly a third of children enrolled in his institutions were from Hindu families.

Finally, on the question of perfumes, Mr Ajmal said: "Have gifted perfumes to Modiji, Amit Shah - if they don't use it, what can I do? Whenever I meet senior leaders, I gift them perfumes."

The first phase of the three-phase Assam Assembly election was held on March 27, with 47 seats voting. The second will be on April 1 and third on April 6. Results are expected May 2.


https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ass...-ally-chief-2402414?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

 

[MenInG]

Campaigning for the 2nd phase of Bengal elections ended yesterday. Polling for 30 seats will be held on April 1, including the prestigious Nandigram seat.

‘Chor Chor, Chopta (Thief, Thief)’ verus ‘Bole Bole Nandigram, Jai Sri Ram’: these two slogans have captured the mood of the voters as both sides pitched hard in this high octane contest in Nandigram.

Incumbent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is facing her protege Suvendu Adhikari who switched over to the Bharatiya Janata Party last December just before the elections. The atmosphere in the constituency is highly polarized with both sides expressing confidence of victory.

While Suvendu has claimed he would defeat Mamata by not less than 50,000 votes, Mamata’s election campaign manager this countered claim, saying she will win by 70,000 votes. The party is banking on the silent women voters who have benefitted from TMC schemes to bail her through.

Suvendu is thesitting MLA from the constituency, while his brother Dibyendu is sitting MP from Tamluk Lok Sabha seat which houses Nandigram.

Both, the Trinamool Congress and the BJP went all out on the last day to woo the voters. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and actor Mithun Chakraborty held roadshows in support of Adhikari.

“Bole bole Nandigram, Jai Shri Ram, Jai Shri Ram,” loudspeakers blared out this slogan at Amit Shah’s road show. Shah, firing a salvo at Mamata, thundered:

“If Mamata Didi is defeated by a mammoth margin in Nandigram, the Bengal polls are won. That is the easiest way to bring poriborton (change) in Bengal.”

Mamata crisscrossed the constituency addressing public meetings. She accused the BJP of “bringing in ruffians from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar” and distributing money to purchase votes.

She alleged that the BJP was using PM Cares Fund money and resources amassed during demonetization to lure voters in Nandigram. She hit out at Adhikari, repeatedly calling him a traitor.

Adhikari retaliated by calling Mamata a liar. “The begum’s defeat is written on the wall,” he said at a rally. Borrowing from Amit Shah’s famous speech in Bihar in 2015, Adhikari alleged that those backing Mamata in Nandigram burst fire-crackers when Pakistan won a cricket match against India.

As Mamata’s cavalcade crossed Shah’s roadshow point, she was greeted with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ chants. No, this time, she didn’t stop her vehicle. BJP supporters even put up ‘Om’ flags outside her makeshift residence in Nandigram. All of this suggests she is facing a tough battle.

Mamata flaunted her gotra before signing off from Nandigram continuing with her soft Hindutva pitch. "Actually I am 'Shandilya'," - one of the eight highest Brahmin 'gotras'. Union Minister Giriraj Singh retorted that the chief minister was announcing her gotra in desperation and asserted that her defeat is certain.

A purportedly fake survey carried out by Prashant Kishor’s IPAC was circulated in social media groups showing BJP crossing the three digit mark and Didi losing in Nandigram.

Nandigram is predominantly a rural seat with 16% Scheduled Caste and 26% Muslim population. It has a population of 3.31 lakhs, with Block I accounting for 62.5% while Block II for the rest 37.5%. Block I has 34% minority population while Block II has just 12%.,

The BJP polled more than 40% vote share in 82 of 278 polling booths in 2019 general elections, as per an analysis by India Today. TMC led in 244 of 278 polling booths in the constituency. BJP is naturally far stronger in Nandigram Block II than in Block I.

TMC bagged 63% votes (130k) while BJP 30% (62k) in 2019 Lok Sabha seat in Nandigram assembly segment. CPM and Congress candidates contesting separately bagged 11,000 votes. TMC received 43% vote share while BJP 40% in the 2019 general elections.

Proprietary calculations by author show that out of the 130,000 votes received by the TMC, 65,000 were from OBC and General Hindu population, while 46,000 came from the Muslim community.

Break Up of Votes of Candidates in Nandigram Vidhan Sabha (2019)

The BJP mainly received support from SC, OBC and General Hindus. The party seems to have received less support in Nandigram than in the overall state. The Muslim community vote is likley to stay with TMC, though there is not much room for further consolidation.

If BJP and Suvendu are able to pull half of the Hindu community votes which TMC received in 2019 due to polarization and popularity of the Adhikari family in the area, then Suvendu can give Mamata a scare and cause an upset.

Scenario I: 2021 Likely Break Up of Votes of Candidates

If the TMC received 63% vote share in this seat in 2019 Lok Sabha elections versus its statewide vote share of 43%, 20% vote share received by the party is on account of clout of the Adhikari family.

This translates to 26,000 votes. If this is added to BJP’s votes then it comes to 88,000, while TMC votes reduce to 104,000. In this scenario, the situation is flipped and Mamata could emerge victorious.

Scenario 2: 2021 Likely Break Up of Votes of Candidates

Scenario 2 shows that even though it is the local / home turf of Suvendu and he claims to be the real architect of the Nandigram movement, it is not going to be a cakewalk for him.

The minority community votes he used to receive are likely to dry up. He will need to slog really hard to defend his fiefdom as Mamata is a VIP candidate.

The results of Nandigram will set the tone for the Bengal electoral outcome. If Suvendu wins, then most likely the BJP will dethrone TMC in Bengal as it would indicate the significant anti-incumbency sentiment against the current regime.

If Mamata wins, then it could point towards TMC retaining the state against the might of the BJP machinery. Mamata could then attain the status of giant killer and TMC could project Didi as the rallying point of anti-BJP forces in the country.

An interesting battle on the cards.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/wi...GjdAd34UqZH3RIjQr8Y0WJzNkn8l22tWcQmsU2VhWBK4N

 

[RajBan]

I feel that BJP will find it difficult in Kerala. Maybe in W. bengal it is possible but Kerala voters have very different thoughts compared to other states where BJP was able to get a foothold using the administration failures of other governments. Not the same in Kerala.

Kerala has a strong Left and Congress presence as well as leadership. West Bengal does not have it, infact Mamata-TMC have continuosly ensured fragmentation of traditional Left and Congres cadres.

 

[sweep_shot]

It doesn't seem like he can win Muslim areas.

No Muslim should vote for him.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Kerala No, well currently NO but Sridharan sir's joining BJP is a small step forward.

However Bengal will be interesting, it would not surprise me if BJP wins it there. Mamta has been destroying Bengal by allowing Bangladesh illegal immigrants to settle there for her vote bank..

 

[King_Kohli]

Kerala No, well currently NO but Sridharan sir's joining BJP is a small step forward.

However Bengal will be interesting, it would not surprise me if BJP wins it there. Mamta has been destroying Bengal by allowing Bangladesh illegal immigrants to settle there for her vote bank..

How on earth there will be job creation if there is no growth?)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Would Focus On Jobs Rather Than Growth If I Was PM, Says Rahul Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/4B7hXL1qN7">https://t.co/4B7hXL1qN7</a> <a href="https://t.co/pg7gyIEX0w">pic.twitter.com/pg7gyIEX0w</a></p>— NDTV (@ndtv) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndtv/status/1378036396334575618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Itachi]

It doesn't seem like he can win Muslim areas.

No Muslim should vote for him.

In assam, BJP has strong presence including Muslim majority areas. BJP will most probably win.

 

[Itachi]

How on earth there will be job creation if there is no growth?)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Would Focus On Jobs Rather Than Growth If I Was PM, Says Rahul Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/4B7hXL1qN7">https://t.co/4B7hXL1qN7</a> <a href="https://t.co/pg7gyIEX0w">pic.twitter.com/pg7gyIEX0w</a></p>— NDTV (@ndtv) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndtv/status/1378036396334575618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In service sector, especially in many state departments, there are more staff than it is required. So employment is there even if there's no growth.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Kerala No, well currently NO but Sridharan sir's joining BJP is a small step forward.

However Bengal will be interesting, it would not surprise me if BJP wins it there. Mamta has been destroying Bengal by allowing Bangladesh illegal immigrants to settle there for her vote bank..

Kerala bjp may win seats in double digits. The syro malabar christian Church and the bishop council both have raised issues of love jihad and bjp is banking on their support as well.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Technically, yes. If the Muslim votes get split between two parties, BJP can win based on the Hindu minority vote. IIRC this happened in Mustafabad, Delhi in 2015.

 

[Romali_rotti]

Kerala bjp may win seats in double digits. The syro malabar christian Church and the bishop council both have raised issues of love jihad and bjp is banking on their support as well.

Brother, you don't understand. I have raised this point here numerous times.

The problem for BJP in Kerala is not the minorities.

Its the Pseudo Secular Hindus of Kerala, the malayalee hindus whom are the majority. Most of the malayalee hindus are there to serve the minority interest, they don't really care about themselves as long as the minority interest are taken care of, they don't care even if it means the minority interests supersedes their own, they are happy.

Their motto: Oru Jaadi, Oru Manishyan, Oru Deyivaam in Malayalam.

It Means:

One religion, One Human, One God...

For the Kerala Minorities however:

Our Religion, Our people, Our God..

 

[Romali_rotti]

How on earth there will be job creation if there is no growth?)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Would Focus On Jobs Rather Than Growth If I Was PM, Says Rahul Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/4B7hXL1qN7">https://t.co/4B7hXL1qN7</a> <a href="https://t.co/pg7gyIEX0w">pic.twitter.com/pg7gyIEX0w</a></p>— NDTV (@ndtv) <a href="https://twitter.com/ndtv/status/1378036396334575618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Puppu lol

He has a golden heart of a 14 year old kid, he will be ready to lead India in 40-50 years I feel.

 

[Thomaskutty]

Its the Pseudo Secular Hindus of Kerala, the malayalee hindus whom are the majority. Most of the malayalee hindus are there to serve the minority interest, they don't really care about themselves as long as the minority interest are taken care of, they don't care even if it means the minority interests supersedes their own, they are happy.

Didn't you read what the lone BJP MLA from Kerala had to say a few days ago ? He said BJP can't penetrate the state because it is too educated, not because they're pseudo secular. I wonder what he was implying hmmm ..


With Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi endosing Modi, he still looks unlikely to win a seat .. atleast as per the latest polls ..

 

[Romali_rotti]

Didn't you read what the lone BJP MLA from Kerala had to say a few days ago ? He said BJP can't penetrate the state because it is too educated, not because they're pseudo secular. I wonder what he was implying hmmm ..


With Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi endosing Modi, he still looks unlikely to win a seat .. atleast as per the latest polls ..

A few things:

Kerala is not too educated, they are literate. There is a difference between the 2, and it is a big one. Also barring Sreedharan Sir, I would not take anything anyone says from Kerala's BJP members with any validity.

Malayalee Hindus may get Sharia law imposed on them, or have all their rights taken away or have a situation like what is happening in Malappuram currently or have plenty of their own people go and fight for ISIS, however they will still bend over backwards for their minorities.

Kerala is the next Kashmir...

I love Pseudo seculars, there to be used and thrown away by the minorities.

Also I had no idea Lalettan was BJP, I thought he was not interested in politics.

 

[Bigboii]

A few things:

Kerala is not too educated, they are literate. There is a difference between the 2, and it is a big one. Also barring Sreedharan Sir, I would not take anything anyone says from Kerala's BJP members with any validity.

Malayalee Hindus may get Sharia law imposed on them, or have all their rights taken away or have a situation like what is happening in Malappuram currently or have plenty of their own people go and fight for ISIS, however they will still bend over backwards for their minorities.

Kerala is the next Kashmir...

I love Pseudo seculars, there to be used and thrown away by the minorities.

Also I had no idea Lalettan was BJP, I thought he was not interested in politics.

Wait sometimes I hear that minorities get mistreated by psuedo secular

Now you're saying minorities mistreat psuedo seculars

What's the deal

 

[Romali_rotti]

Wait sometimes I hear that minorities get mistreated by psuedo secular

Now you're saying minorities mistreat psuedo seculars

What's the deal

It's a long story my friend.

You have to come to Kerala my home state to see what's going on

 

[MP2011]

Didn't you read what the lone BJP MLA from Kerala had to say a few days ago ? He said BJP can't penetrate the state because it is too educated, not because they're pseudo secular. I wonder what he was implying hmmm ..


With Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi endosing Modi, he still looks unlikely to win a seat .. atleast as per the latest polls ..

Poor Sreedharan! How could he be so wrong and that too at this age?

 

[Hornbill]

Poor Sreedharan! How could he be so wrong and that too at this age?

Downside of having greedy son-in-law and son

 

[MP2011]

Downside of having greedy son-in-law and son

Is it? You definitely know more about him than I do. I only.have respect for Sreedharan for what he has done for India.

A true bharat ratna!

 

[King_Kohli]

I request to all the minority brothers and sisters not to allow their vote division: West Bengal CM ; TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in North 24 Parganas

 

[King_Kohli]

Just imagine what if Modi in a rally says that Hindu vote shouldn't get divided?
Suddenly heaven will fall. Country will be called communal. And Rahul Gandhi might plead to UN to take over India. But asking minorities to vote in one party is extremely secular! Shame!

Siculars and Lieberals ))

 

[Hornbill]

Is it? You definitely know more about him than I do. I only.have respect for Sreedharan for what he has done for India.

A true bharat ratna!

His son in law Hari Menon is the Cofounder and CEO of big basket which faced data breach few months before, personal data of almost 2 crore users were leaked and now tata is going to acuqire majority of stakes in that company, smooth deal and profitable deal won't happen without help from higher ups.One of his son is business manager of a company which recieves subcontracts from DMRC, Do I need to tell you how Amith Shaji is going to deal with sreedharan if he refuses to dance to his tunes.

 

[cricketjoshila]

His son in law Hari Menon is the Cofounder and CEO of big basket which faced data breach few months before, personal data of almost 2 crore users were leaked and now tata is going to acuqire majority of stakes in that company, smooth deal and profitable deal won't happen without help from higher ups.One of his son is business manager of a company which recieves subcontracts from DMRC, Do I need to tell you how Amith Shaji is going to deal with sreedharan if he refuses to dance to his tunes.

So Tata's buying a stake in India's largest oine grocery start up which btw had raised money from well known investors before as a start up is due to higher ups? Lol.

You probably have no idea about the clout the Tata's hold.

Next you will say that Hari Menon's BITS pilani admission and subsequent MBA at Carnegie Mellon was financed by some one because of higher ups.

Regarding E Sreedharan,

Did the MMS govt award him the Padma Vibhushan because of higher ups?

Did the Japan and French governments awarded him because of Amit Shah?

Did Ban Ki Moon appoint him to United Nations's High Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport because of Amit Shah?

E Sreedharan is a very accomplished man, Bjp is lucky that he has joined the party.

What you are saying is rubbish with no validation from any credible source.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Just imagine what if Modi in a rally says that Hindu vote shouldn't get divided?
Suddenly heaven will fall. Country will be called communal. And Rahul Gandhi might plead to UN to take over India. But asking minorities to vote in one party is extremely secular! Shame!

Siculars and Lieberals ))

Divide the majority, unite the minorities, thats nehruvian secularism.

 

[MenInG]

New Delhi: The Election Commission has issued notice to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly violating the model code by urging Muslims to unite and vote for Trinamool Congress (TMC).

The poll panel has demanded a reply in 48 hours from the CM saying her speech violating the provisions of the Representation of the People Act and the model code.

The action against Mamata comes after the BJP met the poll panel and urged it to take appropriate action against the West Bengal Chief Minister for allegedly promoting enmity between the Hindus and Muslims.

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP national secretary Sunil Deodhar, senior leader G.V.L. Narasimha Rao and others met the poll panel and submitted a memorandum which said Banerjee in an election meeting at Tarkeshwar on April 3 had appealed to the Muslim voters not to let their votes get split among different political parties.

Addressing a rally in Tarkeshwar, the CM had urged Muslims to not listen to Indian Secular Front's (ISF) Abbas Siddiqui and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi and let their votes split.

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/...jee-over-her-muslims-must-unite-appeal/742318

 

[PakLFC]

Yes he can. Modi's goons will make sure of it.

 

[MenInG]

MATHURA, India, Jan 31 (Reuters) - In the streets around a revered religious site in the Indian city of Mathura where a temple and mosque stand side-by-side, the handful of Muslim restaurants that remain are mostly empty or shuttered.

A ban on meat last year by the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state, a Hindu monk who issued the order on religious grounds, has decimated their trade.

Now the saffron-clad Yogi Adityanath, up for re-election in key state polls next month, has turned his attention to the temple itself, suggesting he will champion the Hindu cause in a long-running dispute with Muslims over who owns the site.

The issue has become a central part of the ruling party's campaign to extend its grip on power in Uttar Pradesh, home to 200 million people and the bellwether of national politics.

Hindus and Muslims have argued for decades over who should control the site, echoing other disputes in India that have, on occasions, flared into deadly riots between the two communities.

While communal violence in India is sporadic, clashes erupted across the country in early 2020 over a citizenship law that Muslims said was discriminatory. Dozens of people died.

Now mention of the Mathura dispute during campaign rallies and on social media has the city's Muslims worried, according to interviews with more than 20 residents.

"An old case which has been settled ... is being revived because we have a new, triumphalist Hinduism," said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author of several books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Hindu nationalist movement.

"There is a greater emphasis on playing the temple card."

Opinion polls suggest that the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to which Adityanath belongs, will win the vote in Uttar Pradesh, despite broad discontent over the economy and the government's handling of the pandemic.

The chief minister, seen by some analysts as a potential successor to Modi, has cast the ballot as "80% versus 20%", figures he did not fully explain. The percentages closely match the Hindu and Muslim share of the population across the state.

Adityanath's office did not respond to a request for comment on the situation in Mathura.

'NOTHING TO FEAR'

The BJP swept to power in Uttar Pradesh on a Hindu-first agenda in 2017, and did not field a single Muslim candidate. Indians vote for powerful state legislatures separately from nationwide parliamentary elections.

That victory reflected the party's dominance nationally, since Modi stormed to power in 2014 after appealing to the Hindu majority.

The main opposition Congress party complains that by putting Hindus first, he and the BJP discriminate against minorities and risk stoking violence. Modi has defended his record and says his economic and social policies benefit all Indians.

Jamal Siddiqui, head of the BJP's minority commission, said the party was working to increase the number of minority candidates in Uttar Pradesh and the four other states going to the polls next month.

"I hope the minority community will participate both in elections and in government," he told Reuters. "The Modi government has protected religious sites for all religions. Now, instead of being afraid of saffron, Muslims are coming closer."

Suspicion of the BJP among Muslims in Mathura had been caused by misleading claims from opposition parties, Siddiqui added.

'NO COMPROMISE'

Among the holiest cities in Hinduism, Mathura, some 150 km south of New Delhi, is believed to be the birthplace of Krishna, one of the most important Hindu deities.

A temple standing on the reputed site of his birth was razed and replaced by a mosque, known as the Shahi Eidgah, in the 17th century during the Islamic Mughal empire. A Hindu temple complex built in the 1950s now backs on to the mosque.

An agreement was brokered in 1968 to settle the use of the land, and the two structures stood like "two sisters" until legal action to demolish the mosque began in 2020, said Z. Hassan, president of the trust that runs the Eidgah.

"I have been here for 55 years. I have not felt tension between Hindus and Muslims," he said. "Only in the last few years this idea has come that there are two communities."

The case, brought to a local court by several Hindu priests, says the 1968 agreement was fraudulent.

"This land is very important to us," said Vishnu Jain, the lawyer acting for the petitioners. "I don't believe in any kind of dialogue. There is only one compromise which can happen – that they will be out of this property."

Both sides expect the case to last for years.

The local dispute has been taken up by Adityanath and several other BJP leaders during campaigning.

He told a rally last month that work on constructing a temple in Mathura, along the lines of a similar development in Ayodhya, was "in progress", without giving more detail.

Ayodhya was the scene of communal violence in 1992 and 1993 in which more than 2,000 people died, after a mob demolished the 16th century Babri Masjid mosque that many Hindus claimed was on the birthplace of Lord Rama - another important deity.

A court ruling allowing the construction of a temple on the site of the Babri Masjid was a major campaign issue in the 2019 general election, when the BJP increased its majority.

'THE LAND IS OURS'

Many Hindu residents of Mathura support plans to reclaim the land from the mosque.

"The land is ours and should be given back," said Bipin Goswami, an 19-year-old with his face daubed saffron with sandalwood paste.

Local authorities mobilized thousands of security personnel in December after fringe Hindu groups announced an attempt to place a statue of Krishna inside the mosque on the anniversary of the Babri Masjid's destruction.

The attempt failed, but at the mosque, ringed with barbed wire and lookout towers since the early 1990s, police now check the ID cards of everyone entering the complex.

Aved Khan, a 30-year-old Muslim who has a food cart in Mathura, said he changed the name of his business from Srinath Dosa to American Dosa Corner after a group of men demanded that he stop using a Hindu name.

"You are Muslim, how can you have this name?" one of the men asked, tearing down the stall's signs, according to a police report of the incident in August.

Rajesh Mani Tripathi, national president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Dal - a hardline Hindu group that was also behind the attempt to install the statue - told Reuters he was one of the men involved in the altercation.

"If he was Muslim then he should write his name on the banner and should not cheat people by mentioning a Hindu name," he said.

Muslims in Mathura also complained about Adityanath's decision in September to ban meat within a 3 km radius of the temple.

At the empty Royal Restaurant, one of the few in the area remaining open, cooks fashion traditional lamb kebabs and chicken tikka out of soya.

"Before the BJP there was no tension here," said Sajid Anwar, standing before his shuttered Labbaik Restaurant.

Anwar said there was no demand for vegetarian food among Muslims. He is waiting for the election results before deciding whether to close permanently.

"If Yogi returns, I will have to find another trade."

https://www.reuters.com/world/ahead...arty-revives-hindu-muslim-dispute-2022-01-31/

 

[Maher96]

Nawab Malik's arrest politically motivated, BJP links any Muslim with Dawood: NCP chief Sharad Pawar

Mumbai: NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre over the arrest of Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik calling it politically motivated.

Attacking BJP over Malik's arrest, the NCP chief said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) links any Muslim in the country with fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

"Nawab Malik's arrest is politically motivated. Whenever they (BJP) see any Muslim party worker they link them with Dawood. PM Modi should explain why Narayan Rane didn't resign when he was arrested as BJP keeps asking for Nawab Malik's resignation," ANI quoted Pawar as saying.

The saffron party has been demanding the resignation of Malik but the Maha Vikas Agadhi (MVA-comprising Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP) government has rejected the demand.

On Thursday, a special PMLA court extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik till March 7 in connection with Dawood Ibrahim's money laundering case.

Hitting out at the ED, Defence lawyer Amit Desai argued in the court that the agency has said today that the "terror funding" by the Minister to Haseena Parkar was Rs 5 lakh as against Rs 55 lakh in the first application, which was due to a "typing error"

The ED had in February conducted raids at the residence of Dawood Ibrahim's sister Haseena Parkar in Mumbai in connection with the money laundering case.

https://www.timesnownews.com/india/...awood-ncp-chief-sharad-pawar-article-90020328

 

[Justcrazy]

With Modi dictator there , its not election , it is selection.

 

[cricketjoshila]

With Modi dictator there , its not election , it is selection.

This is not a banana republic where some establishment selects governments.

 

[James]

India is much much more democratic than Pakistan can ever dream to be! This is laughable coming from a Pakistani.

Why are you making it an ad hominem?

Play the ball not the man.

This is not a Pakistan thread.

Why not respond to the point, which is on India’s democracy.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

This is not a banana republic where some establishment selects governments.

Why does it still look like a banana republic then?

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Deoband has 75%+ Muslim majority and BJP wins the assembly seat from this constituency.
Time for Asaduddin Owaisi to blame voters.

 

[gani999]

Deoband has 75%+ Muslim majority and BJP wins the assembly seat from this constituency.
Time for Asaduddin Owaisi to blame voters.

There is no way BJP could have won in UP without a sizeable number of muslims voting for it. BJP does have a support base among muslims, particularly women.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">UP public has decided to give power to BJP; I respect the decision of public. I thank AIMIM's state pres, workers, members, &the public who voted for us. Our efforts were quite a lot, but the results didn't come as per our expectations. We'll work hard again: AIMIM chief A Owaisi <a href="https://t.co/hgcu5N9Gj5">pic.twitter.com/hgcu5N9Gj5</a></p>— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1501911885192794116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Reddy]

BJP won Deoband which is Muslim majority, I think the thread's question has now been answered. What do you think about this [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

 

[Local.Dada]

There is no way BJP could have won in UP without a sizeable number of muslims voting for it. BJP does have a support base among muslims, particularly women.

Women mostly but also Muslim youth around Gorakhpur or strong areas of Yogi also vote for him.

Obviously it’s too far fetched to say Yogi has a special love for Muslims but it is even more far fetched or ridiculous to say, Yogi’s agenda is Muslim genocide or he wants to convert all Muslims.

Anyway moral of the story is if you work for social welfare, law and order and get the basics right like subsidies, electricity, gas etc people are willing to look beyond every other rhetoric.

You can apply that to pretty much every successful government.

 

[Srtfan]

Deoband has 60 percent hindu voters + 40 percent Muslim voter.it is a thakur majority seat [MENTION=31912]CoverDrive[/MENTION]six owaisi party got total 1.4 percent vote there.all bjp, sp & bsp candidate are hindu there.

 

[KB]

Deoband has 60 percent hindu voters + 40 percent Muslim voter.

Yes. So it would appear that while Deoband town has a Muslim majority population, the Deoband subdistrict (tehsil) as a whole has a Hindu majority according to the 2011 census. So it is inaccurate to assert that the Deoband electoral constituency is Muslim majority.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Listen to this Muslim woman from UP. She innocently revealed to her family that she voted for <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@myogiadityanath</a> as he stopped teen talaq. Her husband's uncle retorted -"now we will see how you save yourself from teen talaq". Husband kicked her out of house <a href="https://t.co/wLEb6YojPl">pic.twitter.com/wLEb6YojPl</a></p>— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) <a href="https://twitter.com/swati_gs/status/1505899891993706498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[cricketjoshila]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Listen to this Muslim woman from UP. She innocently revealed to her family that she voted for <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@myogiadityanath</a> as he stopped teen talaq. Her husband's uncle retorted -"now we will see how you save yourself from teen talaq". Husband kicked her out of house <a href="https://t.co/wLEb6YojPl">pic.twitter.com/wLEb6YojPl</a></p>— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) <a href="https://twitter.com/swati_gs/status/1505899891993706498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This is allowed. This is secularism.

 

[LongtimeLurk3r]

This is allowed. This is secularism.

Yes. It shows tolerance according to some Indians here.

 

[Lego20]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Listen to this Muslim woman from UP. She innocently revealed to her family that she voted for <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@myogiadityanath</a> as he stopped teen talaq. Her husband's uncle retorted -"now we will see how you save yourself from teen talaq". Husband kicked her out of house <a href="https://t.co/wLEb6YojPl">pic.twitter.com/wLEb6YojPl</a></p>— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) <a href="https://twitter.com/swati_gs/status/1505899891993706498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Calling outrage gang - check: 123....

 

[ex-q-zit]

"Mother's Womb Can't Be...": Himanta Sarma Responds To B Ajmal's Remarks

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hit out at AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal on Monday, three days after his controversial comments on women and the Hindu community and said a mother's womb cannot be viewed as a "farm land".

He urged Muslim women not to be "swayed" by statements of "people like Ajmal" who ask them to bear more children and asked them to limit their families to two children to provide them with a good education.

Choosing to reply to Ajmal's comments at a public meeting at Bongaigaon, which is located near Dhubri which Ajmal represents in the Lok Sabha, Sarma said people, specially women of the Muslim community, should not be "swayed by people who need them for their votes".

“I don't need your votes, but don't listen to Ajmal. Don't have more than two children so that you can bring them up to be top players, doctors and engineers,” he said, referring to Muslim women.

The AIUDF chief in an interview to a media house on Friday had commented on women and Hindu men as well as Sarma purportedly as a response to the chief minister's remarks on 'love jihad'.

Ajmal, who is reverred as a Maulana, had reportedly advised Hindus to marry young to produce more children like Muslims.

As the comments were denounced and complaints were lodged with the police across the state, the MP apologised the next day and said he was 'ashamed' of the controversy it stoked. He, however, maintained that his comments were twisted and he had not targeted any community. Sarma, who inaugurated ‘A fortnight for development' initiative for different districts at the programme, said, "People like Ajmal thought that education, development will not reach lower Assam" areas like Bongaigaon and Dhubri and were trying to convince women of these places that they were "child bearing factories".

“ Ajmal said that ‘seeds should be sown on fertile land'. I ask him are the wombs of our mothers farmlands?” Sarma, a prominent BJP leader of the North East, quipped.

“We shouldn't listen to them (Ajmal and his ilk) and should concentrate on the wellbeing of our children,” he added. Continuing his attack on the AIUDF chief, the chief minister said "Ajmal has no right to tell our women how many children they should have. If he does so, he (Ajmal) will have to take the responsibility of the children". “If he is willing to pay for their upbringing, I will ask everyone to have 10-12 children,” Sarma added in a sarcastic tone.

He spoke of the problems faced by the poor Bengali-speaking Muslims living in the 'char' (riverine) areas in bringing up their children, specially in educating them and keeping away malnutrition. “After seeing their (stricken) faces, one cannot go home and sleep in peace … I request our Muslim community women to have only so many children whom they can educate to become doctors or engineers and not junabs or imams (Muslim religious leaders),” Sarma said. On Ajmal's jibe that Hindus have fewer children as they start their families at a much later age than Muslims, the chief minister said that it ensures that Hindu children are well educated. Sarma also urged the people to refrain from communal politics and instead engage in the politics of development for the growth and development of the state.

NDTV