Bihar reality check: Only 35 Muslims get tickets

A political slugfest has erupted in Bihar ahead of assembly polls over the RJD and other parties allegedly meting out shabby treatment to Muslims in distribution of tickets.

- RAMASHANKAR @Patna

Parties have fielded only 35 Muslim candidates even as Muslims constitute nearly 17.7% of the state’s population. The RJD and Congress, two major allies of the INDIA bloc who claim themselves to be well-wishers of Muslims, have together fielded 28 Muslim candidates.

While the RJD, which is contesting 143 seats, has fielded 18 Muslim candidates, remaining 10 have been fielded by Congress, which is contesting 61 seats. The CPI-ML (Liberation) has fielded two Muslim candidates. Viakssheel Insaan Party led by Mukesh Sahani, another ally of the INDIA bloc, has fielded none.