By TCN News,
Lucknow: Finally, Waseem Rizvi who is the chairman of Shia Waqf Board in UP has been expelled from the Samajwadi Party (SP). SP leaders confirmed that Waseem Rizvi has been shown the door.
The news however has far reaching consequences.
Supporters of Shia ulema Maulana Kalbe Jawwad treated it as their victory. Social media was flooded with messages hailing it as their achievement. Maulana Jawwad is opposed to Waseem Rizvi and has been demanding his ouster.
Jawwad and Rizvi camps clashed in Lucknow on May 18th, 2010.
The war between Rizvi and Jawwad started after Rizvi took over the reins of waqf board after conditions were created where the then chairman Kamaluddin Akbar, a relative of Kalbe Jawwad had to submit his resignation last year. The acrimony grew with Jawwad camp devising strategies to remove Waseem Rizvi from the post while the latter using all political combinations to cling to the post.
Waseem was in BSP but sensed the mood and joined SP few months before the assembly elections this year. After the elections, he developed good relations with SP top leadership and is presently continuing as chairman. Left with no choice, Jawwad faction raised the eternal issue—mismanagement and selling of waqf properties against Waseem.
However, even in their wildest dream they had not imagined that Waseem will retaliate in such a strong manner. Waseem who was regarded as a protege of Jawwad had graduated as an independent authority. The charges had hit hard. Jawwad who is also Mutawalli of Imambara Ghufran Maab which includes graveyard also was bombarded with charges of selling grave land at exorbitant rates. Waseem even produced people who levelled the charges and presented the receipt of payment ranging from Rs 60000 to Rs 75000. Not to sit back, Waseem issued notice to Jawwad for explaining the reasons and putting his stand before the board. The notice was too much for the Jawwad faction who enjoyed a good reputation among the community. While Jawwad faction was busy raising the issue of selling of waqf land under Waseem, they were bombarded with another charge. A hospital which has been constructed on Imambara Ghufran Maab land above the graves was publicised by Waseem leaving the Jawwad faction scurrying for cover.
With their back to wall Jawwad gave a call for a Shia Mahasammelan on May 6 at Asafi Imambara. Thousands turned up and Jawwad was emboldened as senior state cabinet minister Shivpal Yadav too reached the Mahasammelan.
Waseem Rizvi who is a good manipulator this time did not find favour with Akhilesh Yadav government. Jawwad who had earlier given call for taking out a procession till CM’s residence after Juma Alvida Namaz finally succeeded as DM reached his residence urging him to take back his call as Waseem Rizvi has been expelled from the party.
Waseem Rizvi had already resigned from the post of Chairman, Shia Waqf Board but will continue in his post till a new chairman is appointed. Jawwad was feeling offended and took several steps. He resigned as Imam of Asafi Masjid where he led the Juma prayers. He took out a procession which was stopped midway at Hazratganj. Finally during a Juma Namaz three persons were assaulted who were allegedly supporters of Waseem Rizvi.
The Akhilesh Yadav government had no idea how to deal with the egoist attitude of the community leaders. Finally a CB-CID probe was ordered in waqf affairs.
Meanwhile Waseem Rizvi also did not take it lying down. He served notices to Maulana Kalbe Jawwad stating that he was selling graves at high prices upto Rs 65000 per grave land at his Imambara Ghufran Maab graveyard. This humiliated the community further as everyone was surprised at the trade in graveyard.
Left with no choice, Maulana Jawwad gave a final appeal for a procession and reaching out to CM’s residence. Akhilesh Yadav government is already under pressure over recent riots in the state knew that crowds will swell on Alvida namaz and any untoward incidentcan take place. In a damage control exercise, Waseem Rizvi was expelled from the party to please Maulana Jawwad faction.