Vasim Shaikh, who earns his living as a daily-wage worker in a garment unit in Surat city, was made to sign a few documents by some people in his “friend circle” a couple of days ago.
Shaikh’s name figures among a list of 30 Muslim candidates contesting as Independents from Surat’s Limbayat constituency which will go the polls in the first phase of the Gujarat Assembly polls on December 1.
“Mai toh cutting ka kaam karta hoon idhar, dihadi hai mera. Kisine bataya maine bhar dia (I work in a garments-making unit). A person told me to sign up for forms. I filled them in. I was not aware that I was being made a candidate),” Shaikh claims.
The Limbayat Assembly seat is part of the Navsari Lok Sabha constituency represented by Gujarat BJP president CR Paatil, from where a total of 44 candidates are contesting — the highest among the state’s 89 seats in the first phase — that include altogether 34 Independents. About 30% of Limbayat’s voters are from the Muslim community.
Minhaj Patel is a courier boy who has a private online grocery and food store. He is one of seven Muslim candidates in Surat East Assembly, which will also be up for election on December 1. “I work with Big Basket company. I felt like contesting, so I filed nomination this time,” he said. Surat East has 14 candidates.
The Congress, which has fielded a Muslim candidate in Surat East, has charged that the ruling BJP has fielded “dubious Independent candidates” in the two seats to split minority votes. Recent headlines focused on the Surat East seat after Kanchan Jariwala (a Muslim candidate) withdrew from the race amid a dispute and counter-allegations.
When contacted, the Congress’s Surat East candidate Aslam Firozbhai alleged, “Of the 2.15 lakh voters in the seat, 43 per cent are Muslims. These so-called Independent candidates were chosen by the BJP to divide the Opposition votes away from minorities. If CR Paatil was so confident of winning a seat under his constituency, why did he feel the need to resort to such tactics?”
Kher Paresh anandbhai (Uddhav) of Shiv Sena (Uddhav), also contesting as an Independent from Surat East, made the same allegations.
Unnamed Surat BJP leader refuted these accusations, pointing to the fact that these seats were used in 2017 elections, which was a seamless victory for the party.
Apart from Shaikh and Patel, The Indian Express spoke to a slew of Independent candidates in the two constituencies, who have varied backgrounds — from a couple engaged in social work to a scrap dealer, to an autorickshaw driver. Below are extracts of their replies.
Saiyad Latif Suraiya (Limbayat),: I am a domestic worker. In order to get experience, I was thinking of running in the election. Maine sochaye dekh le hain
Hamid Shaikh, (Limbayat),: It is my fifth attempt to run as an Independent. Elections are something I enjoy. I’m a transportation sector commission agent.
Hameed Madhavsang Rana in Limbayat: I’m a commission agent at a tour- and travels agency. Sayarabanu (my wife) is also contesting in Limbayat. We served various people during Covid. She is a homemaker. False allegations by the Congress that BJP is rigging our votes are false.
Sabirabibi, (Limbayat),: I’m a homemaker. Because other parties don’t help us, I chose to run. In politics, my contribution as a social worker is going to be of great benefit.
Shaikhlal Smir Shah (Limbayat), Currently I am not working. My area is under attack and I want to defend their rights. Their plight makes me feel terrible. Others are less bothered.
Aiyub Shah (Limbayat): I run an autorickshaw on rent. This time, I thought it would be fun to run for the election. I will be known by more people. My family, including those from Hindu countries, is supporting me in my campaign.
Mohammad Shaikh, (Limbayat),: This is my first attempt at contesting the Assembly elections. I have previously contested local elections as a BSP candidate. As parties that discriminate against communities, I’m contesting.
Irfan Pathan, Surat East: I am responsible for the management of parking areas under flyovers which fall under the Surat Municipal Corporation. Ten years ago, I joined the BJP. Later on, I chose to concentrate my efforts on work. I was encouraged to enter the contest by my local youth.
Shahabudin Jainudin, (Surat East): My business is to buy and sell cars. My mother is now deceased. She had been a candidate for Congress in the civic body elections. I don’t have any ties with any other party.
Samir Fakruddin Shaikh – (Surat East), I am in the scrap trade. Bas aisehi, Chunav mai aane, ka Mann hua. I just wanted to get into the polling business. Social work is what I would like to do. My local youth encouraged me to run because I helped people in the Covid-19 epidemic.
Mohammad Faruq Mulla, (Surat East),: In essence I’m a poor person. To serve society, I would like to use politics. I’m not affiliated with any political party.