By Abdul Hameed, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Maharashtra Muslims disappointed with the first list of candidates issued by Congress and NCP gave an ultimatum yesterday to both the parties of campaigning against them if the demand of five Muslim candidates from MH is not met by April 2.
The decision was taken in a combined meet of ulamas and imams of masjids held at Islam Gymkhana. Representatives from Ulama Council, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Milli Council, World Mashaikh Council, Qaumi Majlis-e-Shura, Wahdat-e-Millat Council and All India Ulama Association among others demanded from Congress-NCP tie-up that at least five Muslims be fielded in Muslim dominated constituencies like Bhiwandi, Aurangabad, Malegaon and Dhule etc.
Though the Muslims have been demanding five candidates from the community the Congress and NCP in their first lists of candidates did not name but A R Antulay from Raigad.
World Mashaikh Council president Maulana Khalid Ashraf alleged UPA of exploiting Muslims and asked the whole Muslim community to teach them a lesson. He said that Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) which did not have a good past in politics has now made its place owing to unity of Dalits.
‘The Congress and NCP, if they are sincere towards Muslims, should not field their candidates in a constituency where a Muslim from other party is in winning position,’ said Maulana Athar the president of All India Ulama Association. The attitude of Congress to alienate Muslims, Mufti Saleem Akhtar said, is imported from Israel.
They expressed their concern that many Muslims may abstain from voting. ‘The importance of votes should be campaigned to people and guidance must be provided to them as to who should they vote for,’ advised Imam of Haji Ali Masjid Muhammad Islam.
‘Abu Asim Azmi, the SP nominee from North West Mumbai and Muhammad Ali Shaikh, the South Mumbai BSP candidate should get our votes,’ the group of more than 100 ulamas advised.