Hyderabad: Chances of reconstitution of the State Haj Committee have brightened with the Panchayat Raj elections getting cancelled. Ever since the term of the 15-member Haj Committee ended on June 12, there has been a demand for its reconstitution. But in view of the poll code, the Government decided to reconstitute the committee only after the election.

Now with the Andhra Pradesh High Court quashing the poll notification, the Government has resolved to set in motion the process of reconstituting the Haj Committee. The term of the Haj Committee chairperson is also ending on July 25. "As soon as the three-year term ends we will nominate a new chairman. There will be no delay," said Minister for Minorities Welfare Mohd. Fareeduddin.

He said the matter would be discussed with the Chief Minister and a decision taken soon. Asked if any names were under consideration for the chairperson's post, the Minister replied in the negative. "We will nominate a person who will be agreeable to all," Mr. Fareeduddin said. However, he hinted that the nominee would be a Congressman.

The current chairperson, Ghouse Mohiuddin, is a TDP nominee and as such there is a demand for his removal, from Congress circles. Party workers are waiting in the wings for this top post ever since the change of guard in the State.

However, following the court's intervention, Mr. Mohiuddin continued in office. Congressmen feel the chairperson of the Central Haj Committee, Tanvir Ahmed, should also go, as he too is a nominee of the NDA Government.

Meanwhile, the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen is lobbying for the nomination of Raheemuddin Ansari of Darul Uloom, Hyderabad. The party is believed to have made a representation in this connection to Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy. Maulana Ansari is also the convenor of the Muslim United Front, which campaigned extensively for the success of the Congress in the Assembly elections. Therefore, the Majlis feels that the Government should return the favour by nominating Maulana Ansari.

The name of Hafiz Peer Shabbir Ahmed, State president, Jamaitul Ulma, is also doing the rounds.

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