Mamata looking to consolidate Muslim votes

The sense of scepticism among Muslim leaders — once seen as among her most vehement critics — has been replaced with growing confidence in her leadership. This was apparent recently, when two of them took the stage at the AITC’s general council meeting - Siddikullah Chowdhury, the state chief of Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind and Abdul Rezzak Mollah, a rebel CPI(M) leader and former minister and both were nominated as Trinamool candidates in the upcoming Assembly elections. 

Molla was nominated from Bhangar in south 24 parganas district and Siddikullah from Mangalkot in Bardhaman district. Out of 294 Assembly constituencies in the state, Muslims, if they vote together in a block, are a deciding factor in 140 seats. 

Moreover, out of 23 districts, Muslims are a majority in North and South Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad and Birbhum. The Muslim population in Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas is sizeable and in many rural constituencies they decide the electoral result. 

The Trinamool’s ploy could make a serious dent to the Congress, which has been enjoying unchallenged support in all the minority-dominated districts. The minority section of voters played a crucial role in the victory of Trinamool Congress in the 2011 legislative polls.