By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: The Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), the political offshoot of the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), has formed an alliance of three parties and decided to field candidates in 12 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu. Of these seats, MMK will be contesting on four.
TMMK leader and MMK candidate from Mailaduthurai Lok Sabha seat, Prof M H Jawahirullah told TwoCircles.net that the alliance Social Democratic Front has been formed to give an alternative to the people in the state. The alliance is likely to bring out its manifesto in a day or two.
About the major issues the alliance will be raising in campaigns across the state, Prof. Jawahirullah said their thrust would be on foreign policies of the UPA government. Departure from Non-Aligned Movement policies, pro-US attitude and no effective intervention in Sri Lankan issue will be raised in the campaigns.
“The UPA betrayed with Muslims as Common Minimum Program of UPA which talked of strengthening traditional ties with West Asia was not implemented. They did not do much for Palestinians, rather they forged strategic alliance with Israel,” he said.
About domestic issues he said Muslim reservation will top the list. “Congress and DMK promised in 2004 to provide separate reservation for Muslims in employment and education at national level. The Ranganath Mishra Commisison recommended about 15% reservation for minorities, of which 10% for Muslims. The UPA did not even table the report, let alone implementation of its recommendations,” he said.
MMK will be contesting on four seats. TMMK general secretary S. Hyder Ali will contest from Central Chennai seat, Prof Jawahirullah from Mailaduthurai constituency, TMMK secretary E. Umar from Pollachi constituency and MMK Ramanathapuran district secretary S. Saleemullahkhan will be in the fray for Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha seat.
Two other partners of the Social Democratic Front alliance are Puthiya Tamizhagam (PT) and Indian National League (INL). PT leader Dr K Krishnasamy will be contesting from the Tenkasi (reserved) constituency. The other two seats PT will contest from are Tuticorin and Virudhunagar.
Prof. Jawahirullah is contesting from Mailaduthurai Lok Sabha constituency where Muslims are around 25-30%. He is pitted against veteran Congress leader and sitting MP Mani Shankar Aiyar. Aiyar has won the seat thrice.
About local issues in his constituency, Prof. Jawahirullah said: Lack of water management due to which surplus river water is going into the sea while there is paucity of water for agricultural requirements, price rise of rice, no facility for people living in coastal area particularly fishermen, no industrial development, and no proper rail route are the major issues which he will be raising in his campaigns.
Why do you think people should vote for you and your party? “People want a change. People are angry with the sitting MP. AIADMK candidate who failed in last election could not raise many public issues. We will bring a change where we will be able to provide people friendly services as a Member of Parliament,” Prof. Jawahirullah said.