Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh United Democratic Front (UPUDF), floated by Syed Ahmed Bukhari, Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, was formally launched here on Wednesday. This is the second Muslim party formed in the State after the People's Democratic Front (PDF), which was launched two months ago.

UPUDF national chairman C.M. Ibrahim said the Assam experiment was being replicated in Uttar Pradesh. The Front was not in favour of or against any political party. Its doors were open to all parties which supported the Front's agenda of giving justice and respect to the deprived sections, including Muslims, Backward Classes and Dalits.

Mr. Ibrahmim dismissed reports that the UPUDF was another Muslim League.

At a press conference, he said talks were on with PDF chairman Maulana Kalbe Jawad and did not rule out the two parties joining hands for a common cause. Asked about an alliance for next year's Assembly elections, he said the executive committee and the Shahi Imam would take a final decision. A total of 22 small parties joined the UPUDF on Wednesday, Mr. Ibrahim said.

Maulana Bukhari said the decision to form the Front was taken after watching the attitude of the mainstream political parties to Muslims.

The Constitution envisaged equal rights to them, but even after nearly 60 years of Independence they were still being exploited by the parties.

The Imam blamed Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav for the communal riots in Mau and Aligarh. He said the State Government had failed to protect the lives and property of the minority community.

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