Other States - Uttar Pradesh   

Another Muslim political front launched in U.P.

Special Correspondent

Floated by Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Bukhari

Photo: Subir Roy

NEW FORCE: United Democratic Front leaders Yusuf Qureshi, C.M. Ibrahim and Syed Ahmed Bukhari at the formal launch of the front in Lucknow on Wednesday.

LUCKNOW: The U.P. United Democratic Front, floated by Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, was formally launched here on Wednesday. Coming after the People's Democratic Front ( PDF), the UPUDF is the second front of Muslim political parties to be formed in the State within a span of two months.

The national chairman of UPUDF, CM Ibrahim said the Assam experiment was being replicated in Uttar Pradesh and stated that the Front was not in favour or against any political party. However, Mr Ibrahim said doors of the UPUDF were open for all like-minded parties albeit on the condition that they supported the Front's agenda of giving justice and respect to the deprived sections including the Muslims, Backwards and Dalits. He dismissed reports that the UDF was another Muslim League.

Addressing a joint press conference with the Shahi Imam to announce the launch of UPUDF, Mr Ibrahim said talks were still on with the PDF chairman, Maulana Kalbe Jawad and did not rule out the possibility of the PDF and UPUDF joining hands for a common cause. As regards pre-poll alliance in the state for next year's Assembly elections, Mr Ibrahim said the final decision would be taken by the executive committee and the Shahi Imam. To the possibility of the UPUDF aligning with Bahujan Samaj Party, he said that there were no permanent foes in politics. He said 22 small parties joined the UPUDF today.

Maulana Bukhari was more forthright in his views on the formation of the UDF in Uttar Pradesh. He said the decision to form the Front was taken after experiencing the attitude of all the mainstream political parties towards the Muslims. He said the Indian Constitution has given equal rights to the Muslims but after nearly 60 years of Independence they were still being exploited by the political parties.

Imam Bukhari , in fact, blamed the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav for Mau and Aligarh communal riots and said that the state government had failed to protect the lives and property of the minority community.

Maulana Bukhari also criticised the Mulayam government for asking the central government to construct a bullet proof railing around the disputed site in Ayodhya when the case is sub judice. He said in view of the security arrangements in Ayodhya the bullet proof wall is not needed.

Significantly, Mohd Yusuf Qureshi, the head of UP unit of Jamiat-ul-Quresh and president of Muslim Vikas Manch , was named as chairman of UPUDF. Yusuf Qureshi is the brother of the controversial UP Minister of State for Minority Welfare and Haj, Haji Yaqub Qureshi. Recently, the minister accused the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for ignoring the interest of the Muslims. The UPUDF chairman indicated that his brother is not averse to joining the Front.

The other office-bearers of UPUDF are, Mehboob Ahmed, president of Muslim Majlis Mushawarat, UP, as chairman of parliamentary board, Ziaul Islam ( president of Rashtravadi Samaj Party ), Khan Mohd Atif , Khalid Sabir ( Muslim Majlis, UP) and Mufti Mohd Ayub Naeemi ( all vice-chaorman) and Saleem Peerzada ( president of Parcham Party of India ), secretary-general and spokesperson. There are four secretaries, Wasi Ahmed, Syed Askari Raza, Zafar Iqbal and Sarwar Ahmed.

Meanwhile, Loktantrik Congress Party of UP Minister of Tax and Registration, Hari Shankar Tewari has pledged support to UDF.

Earlier, addressing the inaugural convention of UPUDF, Maulana Bukhari likened the formation of the Front to a new revolution in politics. Stating that the Muslims have been exploited by all parties, he said the Muslims will show their real strength in the assembly elections. Imam Bukahri said the time has come for the Muslims to accept the challenge of their adversaries.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

"Centre should increase U.P. Haj quota"
Appointment of district magistrates stayed
Shahi Imam launches party in Uttar Pradesh
Another Muslim political front launched in U.P.

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu