Uttar Pradesh is set to witness high-stakes by-elections on nine seats, including the Seesamau constituency in Kanpur. For the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), this seat has become a matter of prestige as it has been a stronghold of the Samajwadi Party (SP) for over two decades.

Adding to the challenge, a single Muslim family—the Solankis—has held onto this seat for the last 22 years, indicating not only their political influence but also the support they enjoy across all communities.

With nearly 40% of the Seesamau constituency's population being Muslim and the rest comprising various other communities, the Solanki family’s ability to secure continuous victories highlights their broad-based appeal and strong presence. The sustained hold on this seat reflects the trust the electorate places in the family, regardless of religious affiliations.

Naseem Solanki, the SP candidate and wife of former SP MLA Irfan Solanki, recently underscored this image of inclusivity during her campaign. Despite being a Muslim candidate, Naseem visited the historic Bankhandeshwar Shiv Temple in Kanpur on Diwali, offering a traditional oil lamp and performing a ‘jalabhishek’ on the Shiva Lingam, seeking blessings for victory. This act has drawn significant attention and is seen as a symbol of the Solanki family’s philosophy of “sabka saath, sabka vishwas” (unity and trust of all communities).

The temple visit is just one among several steps taken by Naseem Solanki to reach out to voters across religious lines. She also visited a Gurudwara to offer her respects before continuing with her campaign. Her husband, former MLA Irfan Solanki, and father-in-law, Haji Mushtaq, have historically contributed towards the development of religious places of all faiths, using their resources to fund various projects. However, such symbolic gestures from the Solanki family have surfaced publicly for the first time, prompting the BJP to label these actions as mere “election stunts.”

A legacy of the Solanki family in Seesamau

The legacy of the Solanki family in Seesamau dates back to 22 years ago when the family patriarch, Haji Mushtaq Solanki, first won the seat. Though Haji Mushtaq is no longer alive, his goodwill and community-focused contributions remain fresh in the minds of Seesamau residents. His son Irfan Solanki, who is currently in jail, has also carried forward the legacy, and now, his wife Naseem is seeking to continue the family’s representation. By reaching out to people from all walks of life, Naseem Solanki aims to secure her victory in this significant electoral contest.