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M Abdul Salam: BJP’s Lone Muslim Candidate in Lok Sabha Elections 2024

Kalyani Jha
28 Mar, 2024

In a notable departure from conventional political narratives, M Abdul Salam stands as the singular Muslim candidate amidst over 400 nominees fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the imminent Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The distinguished former vice-chancellor of Calicut University is vying for victory from Kerala’s Malappuram seat, renowned for its Muslim demographic prominence.

Salam’s candidacy has ignited discourse surrounding the evolving perceptions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi within the Muslim community. Emphasizing a shift in sentiments, Salam highlighted the absence of tangible reasons for Muslim apprehension towards PM Modi. “Has Prime Minister Modi hurt any Muslim in the last decade? Why should the community fear PM Modi?” he posited in an interview with the Indian Express.

Drawing attention to PM Modi’s initiatives such as the abolition of triple talaq, Salam underscored instances where Muslim mothers expressed support for the Prime Minister, fostering a nuanced dialogue about community perspectives and policy implementations.

As a seasoned agronomist and a notable academic with a plethora of international research contributions, Salam articulated his sense of honor in being the BJP’s lone Muslim representative in the candidate lists unveiled thus far. He urged Muslim leaders to align with the BJP’s vision, envisioning a collective effort towards propelling India onto the global stage.

Salam also critiqued opposition parties like the Congress and CPI(M) for allegedly misrepresenting the Citizenship Amendment Rules as discriminatory against Muslims. He elucidated the intent behind the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, emphasizing its focus on providing justice to persecuted minority groups affected by historical events like Partition.

The BJP’s strategic focus on southern states, including Kerala, underscores its ambition to broaden its electoral footprint. The upcoming elections serve as a pivotal juncture for political realignments and ideological discussions, encapsulating the dynamic interplay between identity politics, governance agendas, and electoral strategies.