Within hours of the announcement of a formal alliance between SP and the Congress, the Ulemas seem to be uniting in their opposition to this alliance.
Prominent Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad was one of the first to oppose the SP-Congress alliance, rejecting the new slogan UP Ko Yeh Saath Pasand Hai. Jawwad claimed that present SP government led by Akhilesh Yadav has failed to deliver for Muslims.
Meanwhile, Akhilesh and Rahul are proceeding today with their roadshow in Lucknow, which covers old Lucknow, where Jawwad’s residence is located.
Jawwad, who is Imam-e-Juma at historical Asafi Masjid in Lucknow and holds clout among Shia Muslims, will hold a press conference at the Sibtainabad Imambara on Monday. He will be joined by several Sunni clerics mainly from Muzaffarnagar to oppose the alliance.
It is likely that the presence of several Sunni clerics from Muzaffarnagar and Western UP will see the issue of 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots being raised prominently. Other issues could include encroachment of waqf properties, empowerment of Muslims through education and adequate representation etc.
Adil Faraz, the press secretary to Jawwad said that tomorrow’s announcements will be endorsed under the banner of Majlis Ulema-e-Hind, of which Jawwad is general secretary. The organization is headed by Maulana Syed HUssain Mehdi Hussaini, who is Imam-e-Juma of Mumbai.
Faraz also added that Sunni clerics from Muzaffarnagar as well Saharanpur will be coming to Lucknow, including Maulana Najam Thavi, Maulana Huzaifa Thanvi, Maulana Ghaffar Malik, Haji Mohammad Salees, Imran Hasan, Maulana Waliullah Shah Baqai and Maulana Hasnain Baqai.