In the elections for the 18th Lok Sabha, Congress is having the highest hopes of victory in two parliamentary constituencies in Uttarakhand, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar. Muslim voters are also the main reason for the party’s hope. Considering the sizeable number of Muslim voters in both the areas, every possible effort is being made to woo them. This time, in its manifesto issued in the form of Nyay Patra, the party has guaranteed the protection of the rights given to minorities in the Constitution and has also made many attractive promises including cheap loans, scholarships for studies abroad.
Participation of minority communities more than 16 percent
The participation of minority communities in the total population of the state is more than 16 percent. In this, Muslim population is 14 percent, while among other minority communities, Sikhs are 2.34 percent and Christians are less than one percent. After the formation of Uttarakhand state, the Muslim population has increased relatively rapidly. Seeing the big role of Muslim voters in the Lok Sabha elections in four districts Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Dehradun and Nainital, Congress is looking at the chances of its good performance. Especially in the two parliamentary constituencies Haridwar and Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar, it is expected to open its account on the basis of social equation.
Confidence of getting benefit of competing with BJP
In the last two Lok Sabha elections, Congress could not get even one of the five seats in Uttarakhand. The position of Congress is stronger than other opposition parties in the state. The party also has a huge support base. Seeing the way BJP made its lead on Hindu votes, Congress is hopeful that in case of polarization of votes, it will get the support of Muslim voters. This has already been seen in the 2022 assembly elections. In Haridwar, Congress got five assembly seats, while two went to BSP. However, one of the two Mangalore assembly seats won by BSP is lying vacant after the death of MLA Sarbat Karim Ansari. Congress is hoping that given its status as the opposition in the state, Muslim votes will swing towards it.
As from Muslim dominated areas
Muslim population in Haridwar district is more than 33 percent. Under Haridwar parliamentary constituency, Muslim voters are considered to play a decisive role in Mangalore, Jhabreda, Piran Kaliyar, Jwalapur, Khanpur, Laksar, Bhagwanpur and Haridwar Rural. Similarly, there is a large population of Muslim community in the assembly seats of Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar parliamentary constituency, Kichha, Rudrapur, Jaspur, Kashipur, Sitarganj. The benefit of social equation in both these parliamentary constituencies came out in the form of increase in Congress seats in the assembly elections.
Enticing promises for minorities in Congress manifesto
Congress has more expectations from the manifesto released for the Lok Sabha elections. Many announcements have been made in the manifesto keeping minorities at the center. Students and youth belonging to minority communities have been promised encouragement and assistance to fully avail themselves of the growing opportunities in education, employment, business, services, sports, arts and other fields. It has also been promised to re-implement Maulana Azad Scholarship for study abroad, increase the number of scholarships, and make a policy of giving easy loans for economic empowerment. In the manifesto, the party has emphasized on the protection of the rights given to minorities in the Constitution.
Party will reach out to Muslim voters through Priyanka
Congress’ strategy in fielding its star campaigners for the election campaign is also to pay special attention to Muslim areas. The party has selected such areas for the election meetings of National General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Priyanka will address an election meeting in Ramnagar of Garhwal parliamentary constituency on April 13. Ramnagar region is between Garhwal and Kumaon divisions. Ramnagar assembly constituency has a large population of Muslim community. The party hopes to get the benefit of Priyanka’s meeting in Ramnagar not only in Garhwal but also in Almora and Nainital-Udhamsinghnagar parliamentary constituencies. Also, this is such a remote area, where big star campaigners of BJP including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have not yet reached. After Ramnagar, Priyanka will address the election meeting in Roorkee area in Haridwar.
