If the results of the local body elections held a few months ago are any indication, a subtle but significant shift in minority votes, particularly among Muslims in Malabar, appears to favour the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the April 9 Kerala Assembly elections. While election observers do not anticipate a sweeping mandate, the political mindset of the Muslim community shows a perceptible drift away from the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
The CPI(M), which leads the LDF, has carefully directed its attacks at the Jamaat-e-Islami while avoiding mention of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). Yet, a vast majority of the Muslim community remains outside the central political narratives, leaving many voices politically unrepresented.
