Only two Muslim MPs in Rajasthan in the last 62 years

Since the inception of Lok Sabha elections in 1952, Rajasthan's record of Muslim share of Lok Sabha seats is a meager 0.7 per cent. Around 317 MPs have been elected in Rajasthan in the last 15 Lok Sabha polls, out of which only two Muslims have been elected in the last 62 years.

According to a report in The Times of India, Ayub Khan had won in 1984 and 1989 Lok Sabha polls from Juhunjhunu. Till now only Congress has maintained to offer one ticket to its traditional Muslim vote bank of 9% in Rajasthan in every election to consolidate Muslim voters in its fold.

Citing the reason behind the poor performance of Muslim leaders, Muzaffar Bharti of Maulana Azad Lok Kalyan Sansthan, said, "Muslim candidates were always fielded on seats which have negligible chances of winning polls."

Muslim population in the state is 9%  and the most Muslim-dominated district is Jaisalmer, from where no Muslim candidate has ever contested. Now Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, which has a sizeable Muslim population, is now given to former Indian cricket skipper Mohammed Azharuddin.