New Delhi: In the recent 2024 elections, the Congress party witnessed a significant surge in seats, largely attributed to the consolidation of Muslim votes in its favor. This trend was particularly evident in key constituencies across various states.
One notable example occurred during the 2023 Sagardighi assembly by-poll in West Bengal's Murshidabad district. Here, the Congress party decisively defeated the AITC candidate, marking a substantial increase in its vote share from 2021 Assembly election. This victory was significant as the Congress last won the seat in 1972. Rahul Gandhi's strategic focus on Muslim-dominated areas during the Bharat Jodo Yatra further underscored the party's efforts to secure the Muslim vote bank.
Another striking victory for the Congress was in the Dhubri LS seat, where it secured a substantial margin of nearly 10 lakh votes, defeating the incumbent AIUDF supremo Badruddin Ajmal. The high voter turnout in this constituency, which adjoins Bangladesh, reflects the clarity among Muslim voters regarding their voting preference. The significant increase in voter numbers from previous elections also warrants further investigation, with voter turnout reaching 24,53,608 in 2024 compared to 16,85,058 in 2019.
However, not all outcomes were favorable for the Congress. The defeat in the Berhampore LS seat in West Bengal, where political newcomer Yusuf Pathan defeated the incumbent MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury by a significant margin, highlighted the complex voting patterns among Muslims. Despite this setback, the overall trend indicated a preference for Muslim community candidates, with the Congress benefiting as a secondary choice.
The commendable voter turnout among Muslims, with both men and women actively participating, played a crucial role in shaping election outcomes. The Congress party's improved vote share in Muslim-dominated constituencies further underscores the community's support.
Nevertheless, it's essential to acknowledge that the Congress party's treatment of Muslim candidates has not always been satisfactory. Instances like the denial of a ticket to incumbent MP Abdul Khaleque in the Barpeta LS seat in Assam led to internal dissent and electoral losses. Moving forward, addressing such concerns will be crucial for the party to maintain its support base among Muslim voters.
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