By RINA,
New Delhi : As election campaign is gaining momentum, Muslim masses are getting confounded. With most of Muslim leaders still undecided on electoral choice, mainly because of apprehensions of personal disrepute, voters are worrying about scattering of Muslim votes.
Irked with allegations of being a Deobandi or a Barelvi, Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan today remarked in a meeting in Bareli, “A conspiracy was being hatched for a long time to discredit Muslim leadership. It has been spurred on the eve of parliamentary elections.” He condemned the tangle as an electoral ploy.
Casting doubts on intentions of ‘Amar Singh, the general secretary of Samajwadi Party, Mr.Azmi said, “We have seen attempts to humiliate Muslims in times of elections, advocacy for destroyer of Babri Masjid, forcing people by wealth power to vote for undesirable candidates. After all, what does it indicate?”
In defense of his sectarian impartiality Azam Khan said, “Appointment of Maulana Yaseen Usmani as Urdu Academy chairman is a proof. But the fact is that those accusing me have been visiting Deoband repeatedly.” He appealed to Muslims to remain vigilant because ‘It is necessary to unearth conspiracy to eliminate Muslim leadership’ through exercise of wealth power. “The day is not far off when their will be none to raise voice against a Kalyan Singh, a Togaria, a Modi or a Bal Thackeray”, he said.
Considering uncertainty looming large on electoral horizon, party after party is opting to keep mum. Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (JUH) is latest addition among them, though they have pleaded differently. In press release issued here today, JUH has announced to not join any party or group who would decide to support or oppose any party or candidate, saying ‘This is contrary to JUH policy and tradition’.
However, JUH allows its members to support any secular candidate or party and considers it as their personal act. JUH considers that its decision or appeal concerning voters’ choice will be antagonistic to the country and the Millat. It says that voters should have freedom of mandate. Moreover, it is improper to place the responsibility of any party or candidate on Muslims only. “We have to abandon the habit of reaping fruits with toiling for it.”
A source in JUH says that inspite of the policy of non-interference; the organization is likely to support some parties silently’ “This strategy is a different matter. It is believed that JUH has soft corner for certain regional candidates, secular parties and Third or Fourth Front but it avoids committing openly. He said adding “If we do so then how could it be possible to stop others from supporting or opposing on the basis of religion?”