BENGALURU: Sandwiched between BJP, which is toeing an aggressive Hindutva line, and fundamental Islamic political outfit Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) on the other, the Congress faces the threat of erosion of its majority Hindu and minority Muslim vote-bank especially in coast al and Malnad regions.
Be it the raging hijab controversy, or the anti-conversion bill earlier, Congress has faced discomfort, and the party has often had to walk a tightrope. Being a secular party, it cannot be over-inclined towards either section.
Admitting that Congress is facing serious political and electoral challenges from SDPI, senior Congress func tionary BL Shankar said the party cannot push a hard line like BJP and SDPI do. “They politicise emotional issues, while we rely on issues like inflation and unemployment. It’s tough but we will continue to fight fundamental forces by devising newer strategies,” Shankar said. More worrying for Congress though is the rise of SDPI, the political wing of the controversial Popular Front of India (PFI). It is gradually eating into Con gress’ minority vote bank on the coast and spreading its footprint across the state.
Campus Front of India (CFI), SDPI’s student wing, has helped broaden the membership base of its parent party by recruiting young leaders. It has been actively backing the hijab issue, both politically and legally.
“The rise of SDPI and CFI will no doubt impact the Congress since there will clearly be a split in the minority vote,” said said Sandeep Shastri, a political analyst. “This explains the soft Hindutva that Congress is pushing. Other parts of the country have seen a majority consolidation leading to a minority consolidation, but in coastal Karnataka, Congress seems to be caught between the two. ”
SDPI, an offshoot of Kerala’s National Development Front, was launched in 2009. Some analysts say SDPI is a consortium of several organisations, formed following the demolition of the Babri Masjid. Its aim is to protect interests of Muslims.
“While Hindus had the backing of several die-hard pro-Hindu organisations, the Muslim community was looking for one,” said Vishwas Shetty, a political commentator. “SDPI and PFI have tried to fill this vacuum, all at the cost of Congress. Congress is no longer the sole political voice of Muslims. ” This can be gauged from SDPI’s electoral foray over the past decade. It has over 100 representatives in urban and rural local bodies, mainly in Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Chamarajanagar, Kolar, Yadgir and Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts.
In the 2013 assembly polls, SDPI contested 23 seats, but lost in 22, managing a cumulative vote share of 3. 2%. In the 2018 assembly elections, SDPI fielded candidates in only three constituencies.
Some senior Muslim functionaries blame Congress for the growth of SDPI. “Our own government dropped over 2,000 cases against PFI and SDPI members, who were involved in rioting. This helped them to grow,” they said.
