By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: ‘Peace’ seems to elude Ekta Manch. The conglomerate of 13 party formed on December 27, 2011 regrouped itself on Wednesday. The front under the chairmanship of Nadwa cleric Maulana Salman Nadwi claimed to have support of nearly 20 parties.
The three parties — Peace Party of India (PPI), Bundelkhand Congress and Apna Dal, however, are now no more with Ekta Manch.
The front, however, got a faction of PPI led by its expelled leader Yameen Choudhary who rechristened his faction it as Peace Manch. Similarly a faction of Bundelkhand Congress led by Ajay Kumar Mehrotra also sided with the front. Now the major players in it include All India Ittehad Milli Council (AIIMC) led by Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan of Bareilly, Trinamool Congress, Bhartiya Samaj Party of Om Prakash Rajbhar and Qaumi Ekta Dal of Afzal Ansari.
Ekta Manch leaders addressing press in Lucknow on 11th Jan. 2012
Making an emotional appeal, Maulana Salman Nadwi remarked: “We are not afraid and we are committed to bring change. We are not for division of votes as it is our vote. We are against hate and stand for unity among all sects”.
Over expulsion of PPI, he remarked: “We cannot allow any of our partners to indulge in corrupt means. One cannot sell its tickets just because people are looking forward for its support. PPI refused to mend its ways and it was shown the door.” Nadwi also stated that all its allies are solidly behind him in this decision.
Afzal Ansari of Qaumi Ekta Dal, Om Prakash Rajbhar of Bhartiya Samaj Party and other leaders decried Dr Ayub of PPI for turning commercial and minting money when PPI gained prominence. “I was with PPI since the beginning. If Dr Ayub betrayed me he cannot remain loyal to anyone,” said Om Prakash Rajbhar.
Among the allies, only AIIMC of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan has some influence in Bareilly while Qaumi Ekta Dal of Afzal Ansari and Bhartiya Samaj Party of Om Prakash Rajbhar have some pockets of influence in eastern parts of the state. The remaining players appear insignificant with little clout to affect the voters.
The Ekta Manch with its 20 odd allies announced to contest all the 403 seats in the state. “The redistribution of seats will take place tonight itself and all issues will be settled,” said Afzal Ansari.