Delhi Polls 2015: Will Muslim vote bank bail out jaded Congress?

NEW DELHI: In its moment of truth, Congress has its eyes glued on AAP, worried that the growing perception about Kejriwal could pull away minority votes that sustained the party in times good and bad.

A desertion by Muslims for AAP would mean a meltdown for Congress, fi ghting with its back to the wall, a fear uppermost in the minds of party managers. It is no coincidence that half of its eight legislators who ducked the AAP gale of 2013 were Muslims.

According to inputs, the growing perception of AAP being the foremost player in the contest, that too against BJP, has found resonance with Muslims across the capital.

These voters fall in two categories: Seats like in Old Delhi where the community forms a decisive majority and constituencies where they are enough to make a difference to the outcome. While Congress has dominated Old Delhi for years, it is the fi rst time that its candidates are said to be locked in tough contests. The threat is coming from AAP. On the eve of polls, AICC managers claimed the situation had been retrieved in the last week but the fi ght is close.

The bigger concern is about general constituencies where loyal Muslim voters helped Congress bridge the gap. Showing signs of recovery early in the battle, Congress started with high hopes in 28 constituencies where its estimates showed it was locked in direct battles. It was felt the party would come up trumps in many seats based on the personal clout of old, strong candidates supplemented by minority votes.

But the steady rise in AAP equity seems to have forced a rethink among many Congress voting blocs led by Muslims. "If we hold on to minorities, we will increase our 2013 tally of eight, else we could be in trouble," said a senior party offi cial, mentioning meltdown as a possibility if fortune ditches completely.

Given the challenge of holding ground in an "AAPBJP" clash, Congress decided to fi ght this poll as a collection of former MLAs and ministers — who have personal clout with voters — and not its USP of "banner and symbol".

"The old giants have to deliver as do sitting MLAs for us to do well," is the Congress refrain.