Possible split in Muslim votes is likely to impact poll results

Bhainsa (Adilabad): A split in Muslim votes is likely to help Congress candidates in some constituencies. However, its impact on the overall result will depend on the percentage of votes that the Congress and the BRS will get.

Unlike in the previous Assembly elections, Congress candidates contesting from constituencies where Muslim votes are in considerable numbers are confident of securing the community’s votes giving a tough fight to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

Adilabad, Nirmal, and Mudhole constituencies have a considerable number of Muslim votes which used to decide the results till the previous elections, but things have changed now. The AIMIM has its presence in these constituencies and supports BRS candidates.

Though MIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has called for support to the BRS, a few associations, that work for the welfare of Muslims, and some Muslim intellectuals favour the Congress and indirectly ask the people to support the Congress in the interest of the community.

Muslims have attended the public meetings of the Congress in good numbers and this trend was quite visible in the Mudhole constituency.

Some Muslims have already extended their support to Congress candidate Narayanrao Patel during his visit to villages in the Kubheer Mandal on Friday, making him confident of getting a good number of votes.

MIM leaders are also disappointed with the instances of public protests against BRS contesting candidate G. Vittal Reddy over the lack of development in the Mudhole.

Md Rasheed of Nirmal, however, said Muslim voters are not one-sided. “This time they may vote for a party which they like unlike in the previous elections,” he said.

The Muslim associations, it appears, have a constituency-wise preference for political parties, making it clear that there won’t be a one-sided shift in the Muslim vote.