NEW DELHI: Poll results indicate that the Congress party witnessed a notable number of Muslim candidates registering victories in the recent assembly elections. In Assam, 18 out of 19 Congress MLAs are Muslims, while in Kerala, the victorious United Democratic Front (UDF) has 30 Muslim MLAs, with eight from Congress and the remaining 22 from its ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Victories in Other States
The two winning Congress candidates in West Bengal are both Muslims. In Tamil Nadu, one Muslim candidate from Congress emerged victorious, according to reports by Manash Pratim Gohain and Ambika Pandit.
Assam's Demographic Pattern
Assam results show that the opposition's limited success in the state was concentrated in Muslim-majority regions. Of the 22 winning candidates from the community, most victories came from seats with a high Muslim population. Among the 22 seats with Muslim MLAs, five have a 90% Muslim population, six have over 80%, and eight have 60%.
Kerala's Muslim MLAs
In Kerala, of the 35 Muslim MLAs, 30 are from the Congress-led UDF. The party's eight Muslim MLAs represent Nilambur, Ponnani, Kalpetta, Aluva, Aroor, Kochi, Chadayamangalam, and Vamanapuram. According to Census 2011 data, these seats are either Muslim-dominated or have a substantial Muslim population.
West Bengal Seats
The two seats Congress won in West Bengal—Farakka and Raninagar—also have high Muslim populations, at 67% and 80%, respectively.
About the Author
Manash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.
