Malegaon's Muslim Parties Set New Political Record

Malegaon, a city in Maharashtra, India, is known for its Muslim majority and powerloom industry.

After the recent municipal elections, Muslim parties like ISLAM, AIMIM, and the Samajwadi Party, along with the Congress, won enough seats to potentially form a Muslim-majority municipal corporation.

This is a rare event in India, where civic bodies are usually controlled by major political parties.

The ISLAM party, founded by Asif Shaikh, emerged as the largest single party.

However, some residents fear that this could strengthen the BJP's propaganda about Muslim unity and Hindu consolidation.

The city has faced civic issues like poor roads and drainage, but these were overshadowed by identity politics during the elections.

Some suggest that a tie-up with the Shiv Sena could bring development to Malegaon and counter the BJP's narrative.