Maharashtra: Six-Time NCP MLA Hasan Mushrif Is Lone Muslim Leader To Become Cabinet Minister Under BJP CM

Hasan Mushrif is the lone Muslim member of the legislative assembly (MLA) to become a Cabinet Minister under a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister (CM) across the country.

Hasan, a six-time MLA from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) representing Kagal in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district, was welcomed into the Devendra Fadnavis Cabinet on Saturday (14 December).

Among the 13 states governed by the BJP, Danish Ansari from Uttar Pradesh was the only Muslim Minister, albeit with a Minister of State rank. In states where the BJP's allies are in power, only Nasyam Mohammed Farooq from the Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh and Zama Khan from the Janata Dal (United) in Bihar hold Cabinet ranks.

Hasan is the younger sibling of Shamshuddin Mushrif, the former Maharashtra Inspector General of Police (IGP), who raised allegations through his brother's book "Who Killed Karkare?".

The intention, as per the book, was to halt the investigation of Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare into the purported participation of Hindu extremist groups in terrorist activities. Karkare tragically lost his life in these attacks.

Previously, Hasan faced criticism from the BJP, who alleged him of corruption in dealings associated with the Kolhapur District Central Cooperative Bank (DCCB) and sugar mills connected to his family. However, the critique has dwindled since he allied with Ajit Pawar and became part of the NDA government.

During the period of 2014 to 2019 when the BJP and the united Shiv Sena were in power in Maharashtra, Fadnavis did not incorporate any Muslim MLA into his Cabinet.

After the 2019 elections and subsequent divisions within the Shiv Sena and the NCP, Hasan and Abdul Sattar from the Sena secured positions in the newly formed Mahayuti government. Although Sattar was unable to acquire a Cabinet berth on this occasion, Hasan successfully maintained his position.