The great democratic churning of largest democracy on earth, to elect 543 representatives to Lok Sabha, is in full swing. Over 71 crore voters out of a population of 118 crore will use about 14 lakh electronic voting machines in over eight lakh polling stations to complete this five-phase election process spread over a month. This will cost the exchequer Rs. 1120 crore, which is by no means a big amount provided we elect good, honest and responsible people.
New equations and alliances are emerging everyday. The atmosphere is thick with all sorts of slogans and promises. The verbal duels are sometimes coming down to the level of hate mongering. The positive side of the picture is that every voter feels enthused, as he is using his franchise in shaping the future of the country because representatives elected by him would be guiding the destiny of India for the next five years. The negative side is the great confusion which prevails in the minds of common voters. Negative sentiments of casteism and communalism are being exploited for polarisation of votes. This time the confusion of common voters seems to be greater and deeper.
The Muslim community, about 14 per cent of electorate, appears to be more disunited and confused than others. Should they vote for Congress, whose record has been so dismal, but which claims that it is the only credible party which can save them and the country from falling into the clutches of BJP? Or should they opt for the Third Front, a loose combination of parties with uncertain ideological cohesion, but which may emerge as a viable alternative? What should be their attitude towards the secular regional parties like BSP, SP, etc.
Take the case of UP, where Muslims form about 19 per cent of electorate and can play a significant role in 20 out of 80 constituencies. BSP appears to be in the strongest position there. But they also know that Mayawati is after Prime Minister seat and will not hesitate to join hands with BJP. Should they take the risk of supporting her party candidates even if they are Muslims?
Similar dilemmas stare in the face of Muslim voters who, in spite of their numerical strength, are not able to achieve substantial results for their own good and in the larger interest of the country.
So what strategy the Muslims should adopt in different states of the country? First, they should see that the fascist and the anti-Muslim forces should not be allowed to come to power. BJP’s existing allies and those who may join its bandwagon also should be discarded. Communists would never join hands with BJP. Their pro-poor policies have been commendable. Their attitude towards minorities also has been better if not best. They should be supported wherever they are in a better position. Congress is the largest party and the main rival of BJP, therefore naturally it deserves the support of Muslims. India’s future would be in safer hands if either UPA or a Third Front comes to power. Therefore Muslims should first close their ranks, use all their votes, and in every constituency should vote unitedly for secular candidates who are honest and have a good moral record. Yet we cannot predict what shape the things will take because political equations are changing daily. We may come across stranger bedfellows after the results are out. Let us do our best while the sun shines. The rest is in the hands of God. May He save the country from fascism, and chaos.