NEW DELHI: Muslim candidates from the Indian National Congress and its allies secured major victories in recent state assembly elections across India, delivering a significant setback to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
According to Indian media reports, elections were held in five states, where Congress and its allied parties performed strongly, particularly in constituencies with large Muslim populations.
In Assam, Congress won 19 seats, 18 of which were secured by Muslim candidates. The party had fielded 20 Muslim candidates, with a high success rate, while only one non-Muslim candidate among a much larger group managed to win.
Congress ally Raijor Dal also won two seats, including one by a Muslim candidate. Another winning candidate, Akhil Gogoi, has previously faced investigations by the National Investigation Agency.
In Kerala, a total of 35 Muslim members were elected to the 140-member assembly. Of these, 30 belong to the Congress-led United Democratic Front. Within the alliance, Congress secured eight Muslim lawmakers, while all 22 members from the Indian Union Muslim League are Muslims.
In West Bengal, Congress won two seats, both from Muslim-majority constituencies, with Muslim candidates emerging victorious. Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, Congress fielded two Muslim candidates, one of whom won.
Overall, the success rate of Muslim candidates from Congress and its allies exceeded 80 percent in key regions such as Assam and Kerala, reflecting strong voter support in targeted constituencies.
The election results highlight shifting political dynamics in several states and underline the continued importance of regional alliances and community-based voting patterns in Indian politics.
