Patna: Muslims, the second majority community in Bihar, are facing same issues whether they live in Patna of 7.76% Muslim population or Purnia where they count for 36.76%. Like other people, their three major issues are BSP=bijli+sadak+pani. And on the very issues they will cast vote in this assembly elections.
Some other important issues they raised are reservation in job and legislatures and Muslim witch-hunting in the name of war on terror.
Though united on issues, the community is divided on which party they think will solve these problems. While some do not hide their liking for Congress some others have made up mind to vote for the ruling JD(U). Interestingly, even as RJD-LJP alliance of Lalu Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan is being projected as main rival to the ruling JD(U)-BJP combine, just one of the people TCN talked to in Patna and Purnia mentioned the former, that too indirectly.
Note: The interviews were taken last month, much before the Ayodhya verdict – Editor.
Three major issues of Muslims
Patna
Md Aslam: Water and electricity are the most important issues in daily life. There are many other issues related to our life but unsolved, like unemployment of our children. They get education and remain jobless.
Md Shahabuddin: No specific issue. Yes, common issues which affect us also like others are garbage on road, shortage of electricity resulting in water crisis. Inflation is high, difficult for daily wagers to cope with. Rate of essentials is going up daily but not our wages. How can we educate our children when school fees are also high.
Abdul Majeed: Water, electricity and job. Though we are 16% we don’t have even 4% job.
Md Jahangeer: Inflation and no good source of income.
Md Inamul Haque: Inflation that is just going northward and killing of innocent Muslim youths in fake encounters in the name of terrorism. Sketches of Muslims with cap and beard are released soon after the blast and Muslims are arrested.
Bihar Assembly [TCN photo: By Mudassir Rizwan]
Purnia
Tanveer Ahmad: No development work for Muslims has been done by government. Only promises were made. In election political parties use Muslims but do not do anything for their welfare.
Shams Qamar: The big problem for me is that Nitish Kumar did not keep his words with Madarsa teachers to solve their problems.
The best party in your view:
Patna
Md Aslam: Difficult to say, we will vote the party which will promise to solve our issues.
Md Shahabuddin: Better party is Congress at this time though inflation has gone up in this regime, yet it is better than other parties, because it is rather clean and takes care of all.
Abdul Majeed: There are so many parties in Bihar. Nitish has done a good job. On the basis of his work he may return to power. On the same basis I will vote him. Congress did not do development work like roads etc in 60 years, Nitish did it in 5 years.
Md Jahangeer: Congress now should come. We have tested all, there is no change, now want again Congress. We have seen it in Jagannath Mishras’ regime. Lalu destroyed Bihar. People had hope from Nitish but he did not stand up to the expectation.
Md Inamul Haque: CPI ML is the best party.
Purnia:
Tanveer Ahmad: We should change party in every election so that they can work for public.
Shams Qamar: The NDA is better alliance because some development works have been done by this government.
Are Muslims returning to Congress?
Patna
Md Aslam: There is mixed response to the party by Muslims. There is a slight rise in inclination to the party. Some people are thinking the party will make a good government.
Md Shahabuddin: Yes, I think Muslims have now more inclination towards Congress.
Abdul Majeed: No, Muslims are not going to Congress. We brought Congress to centre only to remove BJP, otherwise they would have been still waiting. The fight will be between Lalu and Nitishi. Wherever Lalu’s candidate loses people will vote Congress.
Md Jahangeer: Yes, a number of Muslims have now inclination towards Congress, because we faced lot of electricity problems during Ramazan.
Md Inamul Haque: Muslims are not returning to Congress, only rich and nobles are returning to it.
Purnia
Tanveer Ahmad: Congress is the worst party.
Shams Qamar: The party is trying to emerge once again and I hope it will come with better result this time. The hung Assembly is expected this time also.
(Interviews by Manzar Bilal and Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net)
