Countering MIM: Karnataka minister Roshan Baig takes up the task ahead of BBMP polls

Bengaluru: The impending entry of All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) into the BBMP poll scene seems to have sent jitters among a few Muslim leaders including infrastructure minister R. Roshan Baig who wants to use this election as a platform to prove his popularity in the community by ensuring the party’s victory in wards where Muslim voters play a decisive role.

Sources in the Congress said sensing that the entry of MIM might hamper the prospects of Congress candidates in the BBMP polls, Mr Baig reportedly approached many leaders of the Muslim community and requested them to make efforts to prevent the MIM’s entry into the city. Though the leaders have not responded to his request, Mr Baig continued his campaign.

Why is Mr Baig worried about MIM? The MIM’s successful entry into small towns like Aurangabad in Maharashtra seems to be a worrying factor even though cosmopolitan Bengaluru is not as polaraised and volatile as Aurangabad where Muslims tend to move towards the fanatic MIM to counter the equally fanatic Hindu outfits. However, in the event of a division of Muslim votes between Congress and other parties like MIM amid a low turnout, the Congress may lose more, so Mr Baig wants to pre-empt the situation and prevent the entry of MIM into the city, sources said.

Mr Baig is under pressure to prove his mettle on two counts. One, while ensuring a cabinet berth, he had reportedly assured the party top brass that he would help revive the party in the city. With Mr C.K. Jaffer Sharief’s impending exit from active politics, Mr Baig wants to fill the slot and emerge as the top Muslim leader in the city. For this, he has to take on MLA N.A. Haris and Rizwan Arshad who too are aspiring for the same slot in city politics. Mr Baig, sources said, intends to work across the city, help the party garner more Muslim votes and grab the top slot, sources explained.