On February 7 ... Muslim intellectuals condemned the BJP (and) declared that they would work to consolidate the Muslim vote and ensure tactical voting against the BJP and its allies.

The strategy is simple in every identified constituency, the secular candidate most likely to defeat the BJP is selected ... Opinion leaders then mobilise Muslims and other voters to vote en bloc in favour of that candidate .:

Regardless of the eventual outcome this action ... strikes at the very crux of the problem facing the Muslim electorate - its disorganised ... nature. One of the important reasons for constituencies repeated returning BJP candidates despite having significant Muslim population is "splitting" ... amongst the non-BJP votes ...This lack of coherence and cohesiveness in voting gives the BJP the cutting edge, particularly in eastern UP, when the Muslim vote is significant but important.

In this context, other parties also manipulate the Muslim 'vote bank' by cashing in on their insecurities. The new strategy aims to change this. By organising their scattered electoral strength and throwing it behind a chosen candidate, the community leaders are sending out certain important signals to all parties. That they recognise their strategic importance and are no longer willing to squander it.

Thus, the Muslim intelligentsia now claims to be capable of mobilising the community in a self-determined direction. What's more, the movement has been towards progressive and liberal values, not separatist or reactionary ... They resent the projection of orthodox mullahs ... as the legitimate voice of the community ... Simultaneously, they refuse to distance themselves from their cultural and religious identities to prove their secular credentials and progressiveness.

This unapologetic self-awareness, coupled with a fierce commitment to secularism speaks volumes for their new found confidence ... is the propelling force behind the movement for change ... By consciously preferring to support secular candidates, regardless of their religion over the Muslim identity, they are transferring voters' affiliations from ties of community to considerations of secularism and unity.

The movement is indicative of an ... immensely significant phenomenon - that there is tremendous enthusiasm at the grassroots level to defeat the sectarian forces; that the BJP's propaganda of 'moderation' has not fooled the Muslims ... The first priority of the community is to halt the BJP's advance.                                     (Source: The Times of India, 2 March, 1998)

Party-wise Lok Sabha Results, 1998

State-wise Lok Sabha Results, 1998

Not including 1 seat in Bihar and 1 in Himachal Pradesh.