Vote calculations

Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs are trying to establish the importance of their communities in deciding the fate of political leaders, writes Nabanita Sircar.

Just some hours from the day of verdict, when the General Election takes place on May 5, with an almost sure third term run for Tony Blair, the Asian vote has become important, because of debate over the Iraq war and the immigration issue.

Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs are trying to establish the importance of their communities in deciding the fate of political leaders. The UK's only Sikh political party, the Sikh Federation, aspiring to represent the 336,000 Sikhs is stressing how the Sikh vote is important in 40 to 50 key constituencies. Speaking on behalf of the UK's 750,000 Hindus, Hasmukh Shah of the VHP believes the Hindu vote matters in at least nine key constituencies.

In London's Brick Lane, which has a large Bangladeshi and Pakistani population, one can already see politicians vying for the Muslim vote. During the campaign eggs have been thrown at the car of Oona King, who is the local Labour MP in Bethnal Green. George Galloway has entered the fray under the banner of his party Respect, relying on the Muslim constituents' hatred for Blair and the Iraq war. The Tories, meanwhile, are counting on the influx of well-paid young voters into Bethnal Green and are fielding a candidate of Bangladeshi origin.

The importance of the ethnic minority vote is evident from the fact that this time a record number of members of these communities have been nominated to contest. While the Labour Party has fielded a total of 32 Asian and Black candidates, Lib Dems have 40 and the Conservatives have put up 41 candidates.

The significant factor is that all the parties have fielded more Muslim candidates. Among Labour candidates, of the 32 from ethnic minority communities, of which 20 are Asians, including 13 Muslims. Of the 21 Asian Lib Dem candidates 19 are Muslims. Why?

One could reason that the community's concentration in the north and Midlands is large. But the anti Iraq war factor is an important one, which political parties are trying to cash in on to secure an anti-Labour vote. While it can be seen why there is a rise in the number of Muslim candidates, it is a bit surprising why there is a lack of Indian, Hindu candidates. A source at Lib Dem said, that very few Hindu Indians are interested in entering the electoral fray.

A community, so large, making such a remarkable contribution to the economy, education and all spheres of life, is finding it difficult to find candidates among themselves. The fact remains that very few are keen to join politics. Their concentration is in academia and careers. But in a democracy it is important to have a say in the political system, for any community, not only as voters but also as players in the arena.

Basere se dur, this time Britain seems to be doing what India has been following for so many years - relying on caste and religion vote calculations.