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Monday, February 16, 2026
TopicMuslim Voters

Topic: Muslim Voters

Changing demographics, redefined Hindutva — the Sena-Muslim dynamic, from Bal Thackeray to Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) has made inroads in assembly segments with a sizeable Muslim population. Eknath Shinde's camp calls its outreach to the community a deviation from Bal Thackeray's legacy.

Muslims made their vote count. This time Hindus built a coalition with them

Muslim vote is BJP’s biggest worry. Knives are already out and probing its most critical fault line. Without recovering UP, BJP’s decline threatens to become chronic, and progressive.

The Muslim vote in 2024—It’s time we stop settling for lesser evil

Most Muslim clergy and prominent figures remained silent on voting, unlike in the past. This silence, I believe, was intended to avoid polarization.

Indian Muslims can’t stop BJP from winning. It’s time they vote as individuals, not group

The Muslim community comprises more than 50 per cent of the electorate in only 15 Lok Sabha constituencies. Their votes can't decide who comes to power at the Centre.

‘Vote jihad’ will only isolate Muslims from development, says Hindu Right press

ThePrint’s round-up of how pro-Hindutva writers covered and commented on news and topical issues over the last couple of weeks.

‘Backed Deve Gowda in all polls, but now…’ — confusion in JD(S) stronghold as party allies with BJP

Political analysts say JD(S) may be able to swing Vokkaliga votebank in favour of alliance, but Muslim voters may be difficult to convince. Unease among leaders of both parties about tie-up.

Hindu-Muslim polarisation or Gurjar outreach? Why BJP chose Bidhuri for poll prep in Rajasthan’s Tonk

New assignment for South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri comes days after he made incendiary comments against BSP's Danish Ali in Parliament. Muslims comprise 47.18% of Tonk city’s population.

Eye on Muslim votebank, rivals BJP & Left rally behind arrested Indian Secular Front MLA Nawsad

Nawsad Siddique, behind bars for 28 days for alleged violence, is Bengal's sole Muslim opposition MLA, a peerzada of revered Furfura Sharif shrine & brother of ISF founder Abbas Siddique.

Single seat in Bengal, dip in Kerala tally — why ‘Muslim parties’ didn’t do well this time

While ISF and AIMIM failed in Bengal, AIUDF-Congress alliance couldn't stop the BJP from retaining power in Assam. In Kerala, the IUML's performance has taken a beating.

‘Not cows to be milked’ — Muslims in Bengal, Kerala, Assam are now assertive, want recognition

Bengal, Kerala, Assam — each key state election has a serious ‘Muslim party’ in fray. A lot of young voters are drawn to them, but others are sticking with tried-and-tested ‘secular’ parties.

On Camera

To win over Asia, Canada needs more than nice speeches

Ottawa is stepping up its courtship of the region. The campaign was readily apparent in Singapore last week with a conference devoted to stronger ties with Southeast Asia.

Andhra proposes Rs 100-cr wealth fund, eyes Norway-style sovereign fund model to drive growth

Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav presented a Rs 3.32 lakh crore budget for 2026–27 in the assembly Saturday.

Top US military commander applauds ‘India’s tactical execution’ during Op Sindoor; adds ‘there’s lessons too’

On bilateral ties, Admiral Paparo said India-US ties have an exponential effect on deterrence, because it demonstrates a unity of purpose among us to maintain the peace.

The new Great Game—Trump’s playing for time, China for leverage & India for wiggle room

This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.