The significance of Muslim votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has gained prominence, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, where Muslims constitute 19.2% of the population, translating to approximately 3.6 crore voters. In the 2019 elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 54 seats in Uttar Pradesh, with 17 of these coming from Muslim-majority areas. The party managed to garner the support of around 20 lakh Muslim voters in those constituencies.
As the 2024 elections approach, the BJP is intensifying efforts to attract Muslim voters to its side. In Uttar Pradesh, the party’s minority front is launching a new initiative called the “Thank You Modi Bhaijaan” campaign. Under this campaign, Muslim women will go door-to-door, informing people about the Modi government’s achievements and policies that are seen as beneficial to the community. The BJP believes that Muslim women are more likely to be influenced by these policies, potentially swaying their support toward the party.
This new effort by the BJP could pose challenges for the opposition alliance, which includes the Samajwadi Party, Congress, and other regional parties. These opposition parties have traditionally focused on securing Muslim votes, but the BJP’s targeted outreach could undermine their strategies.
In conclusion, the Muslim vote is expected to play a pivotal role in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As the BJP steps up its campaign to win over this demographic, the opposition will need to reassess and strengthen its efforts to maintain support among Muslim voters in the coming months.