- National Muslim MLA count dropped from 339 to 282.
- UP, West Bengal, Bihar saw sharp decline in Muslim MLAs.
- Fewer minority candidates and party strategies cited for decline.
The number of Muslim MLAs in state assemblies across India has seen a steady decline, a trend that has become increasingly visible since 2014. Political analysts attribute this shift to the BJP's growing influence while fielding fewer minority candidates. At the same time, some opposition parties have changed how they distribute tickets, which has resulted in lower Muslim representation in legislative bodies compared to previous decades.
Decline In Muslim MLAs From 339 To 282
Data shows that the number of Muslim MLAs in the country has declined from 339 in 2013 to 282. This downward trend is most visible in electorally significant states.
For instance, in Uttar Pradesh, where the Muslim constitutes apprixmately 19 per cent of the population, the number of Muslim MLAs has decreased from 63 to 31 within the 403-member House.
In other states, West Bengal has seen the number of Muslim MLAs drop from 59 to 37, while Bihar has seen a decrease from 19 to 11, and Rajasthan from 11 to 6.
This isn't just limited to the BJP. This trend is observed across various political parties nationwide.
In several instances, parties have secured significant mandates while fielding very few Muslim candidates. The shift has forced rival parties to balance minority representation with broader caste and community dynamics.
In the most recent election in West Bengal and Assam (where the BJP contested 90 seats and won 82), the party fielded no Muslim candidates, a change from the nine candidates nominated in West Bengal and eight in Assam during the previous election in 2021.
BJP Dissolves Minority Unit In Assam
In Assam, the BJP has dissolved its minority unit immediately after all its Muslim candidates lost the elections. On a national level, the party has two Muslim MLAs: Achab Uddin in Manipur and Tafazzul Hussain in Tripura. This illustrates a widening gap between the population and representation.
- In West Bengal, where Muslims constitute approximately 27 per cent of the population, their representation stands at 12.6 per cent.
- In Bihar, the community constitutes about 17 per cent of the population, but holds only 4.5 per cent of assembly seats.
- In Assam, despite making up over a third of the population, their representation is around 17 per cent.
- Furthermore, in Maharashtra and Karnataka, where the Muslim population is above 10 per cent, representation in the state assemblies remains between 3 per cent and 4 per cent.
Congress Has Most Muslim MLAs
The Congress currently has the highest number of Muslim MLAs with 61, followed by the National Conference with 39, and both the Trinamool Congress and the Samajwadi Party with 34 each.
Geographically, Muslim representation remains strong in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.