By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: The Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqir Raza Khan served ultimatum to the Congress party for addressing Muslim issues else face rout in the coming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.
The rally of IMC organised at Islamia Inter College ground in Bareilly was attended by thousands by supporters of Khan. The cleric who has decided to test political waters hails from illustrious Bareilvi Khanqah which has considerable clout among Muslims.
Tauqir Raza Khan addressing the rally of his political outfit Ittehad-e-Millat Council at Islamia Inter College ground in Bareilly on 23rd Oct.
“Congress should remember that during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, we were the only Muslim organisation backing them. They got Muslim votes and the results reflect our support. Now it is their turn to pay back to fulfill our demands,” he said. Khan who is yet to get an assurance from Congress over seat adjustment in assembly elections claimed that Congress should part with 20 seats else we will contest on our own and oppose them. “IMC is registered with Election Commission and we can contest directly if Congress does not show any positive response,” he said.
Regarding the demands, Khan claimed that their demands include a just probe in Batla House encounter, sacking of the home minister of Rajasthan for Gopalgarh riots, giving reservation to Muslims and Fast Track Court (FTC) trial of Muslim youths facing terror charges. “If our demands are not fulfilled we will oppose Congress tooth and nail. It would be in a similar position as in Bihar,” he said.
A section of the audience at the rally of political outfit Ittehad-e-Millat Council at Islamia Inter College ground in Bareilly on 23rd Oct.
Khan also announced that IMC will step up its political agenda by holding more rallies in coming months. Similar rallies will be organised in other districts of the state and the next one will be at Shahjahanpur.