NEW DELHI: Muslim representation in newly elected 17th Lok Sabha (Lower House) has increased by five. Muslim community’s tally rose to 27 from 22 in the outgoing 16th Lok Sabha.
The BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party) – the ruling party got its lone Muslim candidate Saumitra Khan elected from West Bengal against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress. Khan defeated Trinamool’s Shyamlal Santra by a margin of 78,047 votes. Khan got 6,57,019 votes in his favor.
Muslim representation in the 16th Lok Sabha was the lowest in history of parliament elections of India. The highest number of Muslim MPs with strength 49 was seen in the 1980 Lok Sabha (Lower House).
(Agencies)
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