By TwoCircles.net Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: Alhough there is no official announcement yet, but there are reports that the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) and Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC), led by Maulana Tauqueer Raza Khan are getting closer.
Political sources claimed that talks between them have reached ‘final stages’ and it is a matter of time that the alliance is announced.
Akhilesh Yadav
It is also stated in the political circle that some conditions put by Tauqeer Raza are holding the things while SP supremo Mulayam Singh is also not in a hurry.
The first move taken by SP is that it has given Lok Sabha ticket to Ayesha Islam who is the wife of Shahzil Islam, the MLA of IMC. Ayesha will contest from Bareilly Lok Sabha seat. This seat is presently held by Congress candidate Praveen Singh Aron.
As per the conditions, Maulana Tauqeer Raza will be given a ‘good post’ with ministerial status. Already, Abid Khan, the personal assistant of Subhani Mian, the brother of Tauqeer Raza and descendant of Aala Hazrat has been appointed as Chairman, National Integration Council with state minister rank.
SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is considering the consequences of a tie up with IMC. He understands very well that it will fetch him good votes from Bareillvi sect but he is also apprehensive about other sects deserting him.
Tauqeer Raza has hold over few pockets around Bareilly. Though it has been confirmed that Tauqeer Raza has held several rounds of talks with Mulayam Singh and CM Akhilesh Yadav but it is yet to materialize.
The ‘Islam’ family in Bareilly is also too keen for stitching an alliance with IMC and SP. Presently, Shahzil Islam is MLA from Bhojpurahas in Bareilly on IMC while his wife Ayesha Islam has been given Lok Sabha ticket by SP. His uncle contested on SP ticket from Bareilly in assembly elections but lost. Shahzil’s father Islam Sabir and grandfather has also been MLA of Uttar Pradesh. During the recently concluded 125 celebrations of assembly in Lucknow, the three generations came together in the assembly.