Assam's Muslim Shift: BJP's Strategy to Woo Indigenous Voters
The BJP is reaching out to Assam's Muslim population, branding some as 'Indigenous' to gain their support. But will this strategy pay off in the upcoming elections?
As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gears up for the upcoming elections in the northeastern state of Assam, the party is making a concerted effort to reach out to the state's sizable Muslim population - over 4 million strong. The party's latest move is to designate certain Assamese Muslims as 'Indigenous', a strategic shift from its previous stance of categorizing all Muslims in the state as outsiders or 'illegal immigrants'.
This rebranding is a clear attempt by the BJP to win over a section of the Muslim electorate, who have traditionally been wary of the party's Hindu nationalist agenda. The party is hoping that by labeling select Muslims as 'Indigenous', it can appeal to their sense of local identity and loyalty, and sway them away from the opposition parties.
However, many Assamese Muslims remain deeply skeptical of the BJP's motives.
Source: Al Jazeera
