Interview by Kashif-ul-Huda, transcribed by Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,
TCN: Why did you form Peace Party?
A: I thought that apart from our professional and family issues we should contribute our service for solving the problems and issues of the society and the community as much as we could. I came to know that today’s society is passing through very bad period in terms of politics. People are being divided in the name of religion, caste and community. The poor people irrespective of their religions are deprived of their rights. They are denied justice. In these circumstances, I thought that educated people who are eager to serve the people and the nation should join politics. Therefore, Peace Party was formed and educated and honest members of the society are joining us in this cause.
TCN: Various parties have been coming on the scene everyday so how is your party different from others?
A: See, It is a natural process of growth for any field including politics, industry and any profession. They have competition for the development. In my opinion, if a party fulfils expectations of the people, it would grow and get the mandate to rule. But as all the parties failed to perform according to the people’s expectation, no party succeeded to remain in the power for a long time. Today parties like SP, BSP, Congress and the BJP have people’s expectations; therefore people are looking for a new alternative. We are trying to provide an honest and better alternative to the people because until there is no alternate they would not have an option to choose what’s best for them.
TCN: Every party that comes up says that it is good and it should be given chance but after five years it comes with the same performance.
A: See, there would be several parties but people will select only the one that has sound working style. The way Peace Party is emerging very fast and keeping the hopes and expectation alive of the society, the way people are joining us in large number, we think that we have been successful in giving an alternative to the people.
TCN: But your party is not cadre-based so how you are preparing to provide an alternate?
A: No, our party is the only party which is cadre-based. Our cadres are mostly poor and come from the backward communities. Out of 75 districts of the UP, we have our units in 60 districts and in at least 40 districts we have reached to the booth level and in 25 districts we are fully prepared.
Our cadres understand the mission, objective, and the work of the Party. Our mission is to provide share in the governance and resources to the backward class people irrespective of their religions and castes especially those who are not united. For example, we target ati-dalit, ati-pichhda, Muslims, economically-poor upper castes, Kayasth, and Vaishya because in Uttar Pradesh they are politically not organized.
Due to their division or fear, or greed or because of communal passions they have been used as vote banks by different political parties and therefore they end up as the most exploited.
TCN: You are talking about giving share to these sections of the society in the government. What share have you given to them in the party’s top leadership and in ticket distribution so far?
A: The share in the power or governance does not depend on giving tickets on the basis of religion or caste. I think it depends on the policy and leadership of the party because whoever may be the party representative, cadres and workers have to follow the policy of the party. So, the leadership of the party, their thought and policy are important.
Peace Party is not only visible but has attracted some high-profile politicians to its ranks. [TCN Photo]
TCN: do you have representation of backward classes in top leadership of the party?
A: look, to give ticket or post to a person from a community will not benefit the community the candidate belongs to. It will only benefit him, his relatives, and his friends.
TCN: You were taking that backward class does not have representation in the government, so how you are going to do that?
A: look, as far as matter of being a minister or MPs and MLAs is concerned. Members of the backward class, dalit and Muslim have been getting the posts since independence. It is another thing that their representation has not been according to their population. But be the number of their MPs or MLs 10 or become 110, of any community, the policy will not be according to them rather according to the party’s top leadership. For example, there have been many ministers in centre as well as state and also MLA and MPs from dalit but it did not help to provide justice to the community. But once a government was formed under the leadership of a dalit chief minister, the scenario has been changed for them. So, we should know that until a government under the leadership of backward Muslims, dalit and other deprived section is made, they will not get justice and real share in the government. If you make 10 more or 10 less MPs and MLAs, it will not make much difference.
TCN: Do you give representation to all sections of the people in top leadership of the Peace party?
A: Yes, we have given share to all and we have a made policy. For example, after three years of its formation, Peace Party organized ‘most backward and most dalit adhikar divas’ which was not done by any party ever. Peace Party was formed on Feb. 10, 2008. On the completion of its four year, we are going to organize ‘most backward and most dalit adhikar divas’ on Feb. 10, 2012 because these sections of the society along with Muslims form 60% of the total population who are totally cut from the development and education. Leave alone their share in the government, their voice are not being heard.
When 60% population will be deprived of their share in the government, it will not be in the favour of the society and not the country. Therefore, their share in the government is necessary. I accept that everything is not possible through politics but I think, it will open the door for them for progress, dignity, and a role in the body politics.
TCN: You have give ticket to at least one person who was expelled from BSP and who has pending criminal cases against him. There has been influence of criminal elements in UP and Bihar politics, so which kind of politics you are doing?
A: I think it is incorrect that he was ousted from any party rather he resigned from BSP and joined Peace Party.
I think it is very clear that all walks of life including politics, judiciary, engineering which have representation of all sections of the people will have reflection of all kinds of people from the society and Peace Party can’t keep itself away from it because it is also involved in the same political system. It will fulfill its mission only after becoming part of the government.
I want to add one thing here that gundaism and mafiaism are opportunism. These are a kind of energy which can be used for either constructive or destructive purpose. If the leadership of the party does not want him to do any wrong thing, he will never dare to do that.
In my opinion, today this country needs honest and strong chief ministers and prime minister. It will be very hard to correct the system from bottom up.
TCN: You are talking the same thing as some people said that if Narendera Modi is made Prime Minister everything will be ok in India because as they say he is a strong leader and good administrator. What will happen to the democracy?
A: We have many things but can’t implement until come to power. Peace Party believes that all the all the Chiefs of the parties, MPs and MLAs should pass narco- test because the affidavits that they submit are only a formality. Likewise, everyone sitting on the constitutional or sensitive positions like judges, editors and others who have role to change the direction of the society should go through this test.
Dr. Mohammad Ayub is a famous surgeon and successful industrialist. [TCN Photo]
TCN: What would you learn in the narco-test?
A. In the narco-test, the truth will come out as what are their intentions: serving the nation or their own benefits.
At the time, when the constitution came into force people had fear in their hearts regarding religious books like Quran and Geeta therefore it was made mandatory to take oath of these books but now matter is not like that. Therefore we should adopt scientific way to know the truth as it is being applied in all other walks of life.
As far as Narendera Modi is concerned, he is of a twisted mind and an enemy of the humanity. He does not have any right to live in the world let alone to rule the nation. The criminals can undergo correction but person like Modi who has anti-humanity bent of mind have no right to live in this country or the world.
TCN: Peace Party has declared 40 candidates so far, how many total seats your party is going to contest in the UP assembly elections?
A: We will contest from almost 250 seats.
TCN: What are your criteria to select a candidate?
A: We will prefer educated, honest and candidates who have winning prospects.
TCN: How do you check that a candidate is honest?
A: So far, no system has been chalked out but the persons who are considered honest by the society we also consider them the same.
TCN: It is said that peace Party is growing fast. In the last Lok Sabha election your party has contested on some seats and performed well and now you are going to contest 250 seats. Many people are asking questions about your source of funding? So who do you have to say?
A: Actually all political parties consider Muslims as beggars. They cannot tolerate a party led by a Muslim. Therefore, they are raising such questions. In my view, Congress, BSP and SP are as much communalists as BJP. They all are responsible for the dire condition of Muslims.
Now they ask me about funds, compare my bio-data with any national president of any political party. No one will even come close to my achievements, whether in studies, selection for IAS, business, or anything else. I had at least 100-times more money than all these presidents before they entered politics. I am more educated than all of them.
If these parties can take fund from public and industrialist then do they think I am incompetent? I am smarter than them. I know how to manage a political party.
I am confident that, our party will get share in the upcoming UP government in 2012 and it will come to the power with the majority in 2017. I pray to Almighty to give chance to prove practically what I am saying. We will show the people how democratic system is implemented. I am sure that when we will work for everyone regardless their religions and castes, they will vote overwhelmingly for our party in the following election.
The Peace Party will not come to power for five years or ten years rather it will rule for long time as long as the party will be working on its principles. I want to show that how a Muslim, who believes completely in Islam, if he gets the chance to govern then how he will serve the people. By this, I want to end the conspiracy of political parties against Muslims and produce the true picture of the Muslims and Islam.
TCN: What is your strategy for the 2012 UP elections?
A: We will contest 100 seats with full power and energy and hope we will win at least 50 seats.
TCN: What about post-poll alliance?
A: I hope our party along with allies will win 75 to 80 seats then we will get support of other parties and inshallah we will form the government.
TCN: Are you ready to give support to any party?
A: Peace Party does not believe to give support to any party before or after elections. We will form government with the help of each others.