One in two Muslim candidates fielded by the BSP won in the UP assembly elections as the party tasted success in several Muslim dominated constituencies across the state.
Assiduously wooing Muslims to expand her base beyond the Dalits, Brahmins and upper castes, BSP Chief Mayawati saw her strategy work with 30 of the 61 Muslim nominees emerging victorious.
BSP won at several Muslim dominated assembly seats much to the surprise of political observers who felt that after her alleged anti-Muslim utterances recently, the community would not be supporting her in the polls.
The results, however, proved the pundits wrong as BSP nominees registered impressive victories in Muslim dominated constituencies of Afzalgarh, Bijnore, Chandpur, Kanth, Hasanpur, Bahjoi, Kundarki and Bhojipura in the central region.
BSP's winning streak in the Muslim dominated seats continued in the eastern parts as well where its candidates won Nanpara, Kaiserganj, Gaisari, Gonda, Dumariyaganj and Khesaraha.
Mayawati had deputed her close confidante and former minister Naseemuddin Siddique to rein in the Muslims and also provided him with a chopper for campaigning.
Siddique undertook extensive campaigning in the Muslim dominated areas and addressed over 272 election rallies, according to BSP sources.