Delhi election 2015: Muslim vote shifts to AAP

NEW DELHI: If there was one thing that Delhi's Muslims were sure of, it was that they would not vote for the BJP, read Narendra Modi. The community, which pushed Congress to victory in eight seats in Delhi during the assembly election last year, appeared disenchanted with the party. This time, AAP has emerged as the most preferred party among Muslims, not just among the youth also among the elders.

In Matia Mahal, five-time MLA Shoaib Iqbal is not likely to have it easy. He had, in fact, quit JD(U) to contest on a Congress ticket. But going by the mood on the ground, AAP is likely to gain significantly in the Walled City. "I am a traditional Congress supporter but I can't vote for it any longer. Also the youth is looking for jobs, better education and development. If we fail to change, as a community we will only have ourselves to blame," said Inayur Khan of Churiwalan.

The younger generation is clear about its choice. "It's jhadu (broom) for all of us as because we want change. This area is the worst ghetto now. I travel to Gurgaon for work and see how much Delhi and NCR have developed," said call centre employee Mohd Riaz.

The anti-Congress mood is stark in Ballimaran. The population here is predominantly Muslim but the BJP had done a lot of mobilization in the days leading up to the polls. In Chandni Chowk, the fight promises to be three-cornered but the youth are backing AAP's candidate Alka Lamba.

But the one seat that best describes the Muslim shift from Congress to AAP is Okhla. Even until the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, it was divided between AAP and Congress. This time, despite the massive campaigning by Congress supporters, most voters said that they preferred AAP. "Even now, the older generation is leaning towards Congress but we feel that the party has only used minorities as vote banks," said Abida Khatoon, a resident.

Similarly, in Krishna Nagar's Khajuri Khas, a predominantly Muslim area, AAP found overall support though BJP's minority wing was confident of bagging at least 500 votes.

Several Muslim voters at polling stations in Seelampur, where over 70% polling was recorded, didn't think twice before declaring their preference - AAP. In the bylanes of Seelampur, families would gather and agree to vote for Kejriwal. "My family and I are voting for AAP this time. It has been 15 years since our sitting MLA promised us proper sewer lines. We have yet to see them," says Shamina, a housewife.

In Karawal Nagar, Mohammed Jamal also hoped for a new political scenario. "It is time for change and only Kejriwal can bring it. I hope he wins with a majority," said Jamal.