As Jaipur votes, why Muslims are split over eight BJP faces

As Jaipur votes, why Muslims are split over eight BJP faces BJP's 8 Muslim candidates for September 9-11 Jaipur Municipal Corporation polls face an uphill battle; of 14 Muslims fielded by the party in 2020 JMCs' polls, only one had won.

Key points

• After coming to power in December 2023, the BJP administration merged the two JMCs into a single 150-member civic body in October 2025.
• 5 min read Jaipur Updated: Sep 9, 2026 05: 10 AM IST.
• While similar voices were heard in wards 113, 117 and 137, a number of residents there see the BJP's Muslim candidates in a favourable light.
• The BJP's candidate in ward 128, Majid Khan, has been associated with the state party unit's Minority Morcha for a number of years.
• Mijana's office displays banners everywhere featuring her photos with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Balmukundacharya.

All these candidates have been fielded by the BJP in the Muslim-dominated wards. (AI generated Image).

On the eve of the high-stakes elections to the 150-seat Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC), the streets of the city are flooded with loudspeaker-fitted vehicles. It have been deployed by the contenders, especially the ruling BJP and the principal Opposition Congress, as well as the candidates for their last-minute campaign push.

Deviating from its move not to field any Muslim candidates in the 2023 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Rajasthan, the BJP has fielded eight Muslim faces for the JMC polls. The tasks of these BJP candidates are cut out.

Ramping up their canvassing, they leave their houses now at 8.30 am every day to meet individuals or to hold rallies in their respective wards. In the evening, they undertake roadshows in open jeeps.

Meanwhile, the BJP's candidate in ward 128, Majid Khan, has been associated with the state party unit's Minority Morcha for a number of years. He notes the party has rewarded his "18 years of work".

"I am particularly proud of working for the BJP that has worked for the development of the residents. I have been an active party member of this municipal ward for a long time and I am sure I will win, " claims Majid.

Although they say that they are not among the BJP supporters, a number of residents of this ward – where Muslims account for a majority of its voters – seem to have positive views concerning him.

"We have no difficulty with Majid bhai. He has been working for the community for a long time but voting for BJP is not acceptable to us, " notes Shamsher Khan, sitting at a local tea stall.

Some other individuals there object to his remark, saying: "Majid may win the election. But municipal polls are won on the basis of a candidate's personal work, not any political ideology."

Apart from Majid, the party has nominated Shahnawaz Ansari (ward no.19), Zakir Khan (109), Fariuddin (113), Shabab Jahan (117), Mijana Mirza (136), Rayees Mansuri (137), and Afsana (146).

In ward 136, Mijana seems to be busy session the voters. Her husband Mohammad Qayyum interacts with individuals at her ward office located in the Hawa Mahal Assembly constituency. It is represented by Balmukundacharya.

Meanwhile, a BJP MLA, Balmukundacharya has been involved in various rows previously, including for his polarising remarks.

Qayyum defends Balmukundacharya, claiming that "he has done a lot for Muslims". Showing a video of a woman on Mijana's Instagram handle, he notes: "She is a resident of Congress MLA Rafiq Khan's constituency (Adarsh Nagar). Her husband left her for another woman and refused to take care of their child. Balmukundacharya intervened in the matter and now the husband is ready to offer compensation to her. I understand that some of his speeches might not have been seen in a positive light by the Muslim community but he has always supported Muslims who asked for his assist."

Nevertheless, a number of residents of the ward seem to be sceptical of Mijana's prospects, saying that only the Congress candidate or an Independent may sail through. "Muslims here would not vote for Balmukundacharya's party, " notes a voter.

Of its eight Muslim candidates, only one has been renominated by the BJP for this JMC election: Shahnawaz Ansari. This person is contesting from the ward 19. He notes the party has given tickets to the residents who have been active on the ground.

"I obtained the party ticket in the 2020 JMC election as well and lost by just a few hundred votes. This year I have been working hard and trying to project the BJP's image among the public. With the BJP in the state and at the Centre, a BJP Mayor and ward councillors will be able to support residents more than any other party. This will be a triple engine sarkar in Jaipur, " he notes.

"So plenty of policies of the central administration have benefited both Hindus and Muslims. There is no reason for Muslims to not vote for BJP, " Shahnawaz notes, exuding confidence concerning his prospects this time.

Along with the JMC, the polling in the urban local bodies throughout the state are scheduled for September 9 and 11. The counting of votes will take place on September 14. 2020 polls in JMCs.

Notably, the JMC was bifurcated by the previous Ashok Gehlot-led Congress administration – the 150-seat JMC Greater and the 100-seat JMC Heritage – which had gone to the polls in November 2020. The BJP had then given tickets to 13 Muslims from the JMC Heritage. It encompassed the old city, while fielding only one Muslim candidate, Shahnawaz Ansari, from the JMC Greater.

Meanwhile, the sole Muslim BJP candidate who had won then was Rayees Qureshi from ward 88. While the Congress had won the JMC Heritage polls, the BJP had clinched the JMC Greater.

In short, as Jaipur votes, why Muslims are split over eight BJP faces is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.