By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Despite failing it its efforts to block women reservation bill in the parliament, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has decided to exploit the opportunity for cornering its drifting Muslim vote-bank. The Rajya Sabha MPs Kamal Akhter and Amir Alam will be portrayed as hero with intensive meetings in Muslim localities.
The party has started contacting Muslim organisation across the state to launch a joint agitation against the Bill. Coming as a blessing in disguise the party has decided to blow up the issue thus luring the Muslims back to its fold.
Raking up the issue, the party on Saturday convened a meeting of Muslim clerics and women decrying the Congress. Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Parishad, Ahmed Hasan personally interacted with the Muslim clerics explaining the consequences of proposed women reservation bill.
Later talking to TwoCircles.net, Maulana Idress Bastawi maintained that the bill is an effort to wipe out Muslims from political scene. “Already four important posts including President, UPA Chairperson, Speaker of Lok Sabha and Leader of Opposition are with women. There is no need for further empowerment. It is just a gimmick to sideline Muslims as their women will not be able to contest election due to financial and religious reasons,” he said. Maulana Bastawi who is also permanent member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) stated that the issue will be taken up during the upcoming board meet in Lucknow on March 19.
Another cleric Maualana Iqbal Qadri who heads the Sunni Ulema Council stated that Congress and BP have joined hands to eliminate muslims from political scenario. “It is surely a ploy on part of these parties against Muslims. We will oppose it tooth and nail at every front,” he said.
“We are appealing to the Muslim MPs for listening to the voice of their conscience and oppose the Bill tooth and nail. We are proud of our MPs Kamal Akhter and Amir Alam for their act,” said Ahmed Hasan. Several other Muslim clerics as Sajjadanashin Khamman Peer Baba, Maulana Farhat Miyan, Shakeel Khan Nadwi, Maulana Shameem Akhter too were present during the meeting.