Other States - Uttar Pradesh   

`Muslim bodies should come together'

Lucknow: Condemning political parties for using minorities and backward classes as "votebanks", the All India Muslim Muttahida Mahaz on Saturday said all Muslim organisations should forge an alliance and come on a single platform for the development of Uttar Pradesh.

In its agenda released today by senior Supreme Court lawyer R.K. Anand at a national seminar on `Role of minorities and backward classes in development of Uttar Pradesh', the AIMMM sought the support of dalits and most backward classes to launch a joint fight against those who "use them as mere votebanks".

Muslims and backwards comprise 80 per cent of the population. Development of the state without their support is impossible. They should also be given due representation in all sectors, Congress leader P.L. Punia told the seminar.

He said in order to improve literacy rates, schools should be opened in Muslim dominated localities and special provisions should be made to ensure representation for the community in government and private colleges and professional institutions.

Former union minister C.M. Ibrahim released a special edition of the magazine `Qayadat' on 200 Assembly seats in the State on the occasion. -- PTI

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