While the serious communal riots in 1964 were the immediate provocation for the format of the Majlis-e-Mushawarat that year, from the outset some Muslim leaders had their eyes on the 1967 general elections which they wanted to influence by means of concerted action on the part of the community. Unlike earlier Muslim organisations which participated in politics directly, the Majlis sought to influence policy-making indirectly by extending its support to individual candidates from various political parties in consideration of their personal outlook and sympathies for the Muslim community.