By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: The Azamgarh-based outfit, Rashtriya Ulema Council (RUC) released a list of 170 candidates for the state assembly elections on Thursday. In the seat distribution, Jan Sangharsh Morcha and some Communist groups have also been given fair representation.
As per the list, RUC will contest on 70 seats, CPM on 14 seats, Rashtriya Communist Party (Kaushal Kishore) on seven seats, Socialist Party of India on 18 seats and little known outfit Navbharat Nirman Party on 49 seats.
Maulana Amir Rashadi (center) releasing the list of candidates
In the RUC list the major name is party’s general secretary Maulana Tahir Madani who will contest from Nizamabad seat in Azamgarh. The list also includes 41 Hindus who will contest under RUC banner.
President, RUC, Maulana Amir Rashadi stated that doors are still open for CPI and they will welcome it in the alliance. “We are ready to give seats to them where they are in strong position. There is no acrimony between us,” he said.
Later interacting with newsmen, Rashadi claimed that people have lost faith in the corrupt politics of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Congress. “We are providing an alternative based on clean politics. We are against communalism and terrorism. We will provide good governance,” he said.
Taking a dig at the Nadwa cleric Maulana Salman Nadwi for joining Ittehad Front led by Peace Party, he stated that clerics should stay away from politics. “Maulana Salman’s image will be tarnished as he is being misused by the group of selfish politicians,” he said.
But Rashadi didn’t explain if he and his party’s general secretary Maulana Tahir Madani do not come in the category of clerics. Maulana Madani is the Nazim of Jamiatul Falah in Azamgarh and Rashadi heads Jamiatur Rashad, another seminary in the same district.
Rashadi also decried other Muslim groups for issuing fatwa during elections.
“It is better to keep the religious matter separate from politics. Fatwa is for religious direction and should not be used in politics. In fact, the Muslim groups should desist from issuing appeal in favour of any party,” he remarked.