05-16-2006, 09:36 AM
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<b>Buoyed by AUDF in Assam, Muslims float new party in UP </b>
Lucknow, May 15: Encouraged by electoral success of of nascent Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) comprising Muslim bodies, Muslim political outfits and noted scholars of the community in Uttar Pradesh today launched a political party Peoples' Democratic Front (PDF) and decided to contest assembly polls next year.
<b>"The PDF with Shahi Imam of the Delhi Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari as its patron has been launched with a view to enabling the Muslims to share power on the basis of their distinct electoral strength", </b>president of the front and noted Shia scholar Maulana Kalbe Jawwad told newsmen here.
He said PDF would be fielding its candidates in the next assembly elections in the state as there are 147 constituencies in UP where Muslims can ensure victory of their candidates.
Jawwad said though Bukhari was supposed to be present at the press conference here, he could not turn up as he missed his morning flight.
<b>He said the decision to form a separate political outfit was arrived at a meeting of various smaller Muslim outfits like Muslim Majlis, All India Muslim Forum, Parcham Party of India, Indian League and Momin Conference.</b>
Jawwad said the doors of PDF were open to other Muslim outfits also and it would align with like-minded parties on the basis of their commitment to Muslim emancipation.
The Muslim political parties "have derived vigour and inspiration from the recently held assembly elections in Assam where a similar Muslim outfit has won significant number of seats on the basis of its own strength", he said.
<b>The AUDF won ten seats in Assam polls. </b>
<b>Jawwad charged the political parties with treating Muslims as "slaves" and alleged they "failed" to ensure that members of the community enjoyed their legitimate rights.</b>
He said attempts in this direction had also been made in the past but could not succeed because of lack of support from the Ulemas and proper cohesion between various Muslim political and religious groups.
The Maulana said PDF was confined only to Uttar Pradesh and Ulemas would not contest elections but justified the entry of religion into politics.
In reply to a question, Jawwad said PDF was not a religious outfit and doors were open to all marginalised and weaker sections<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<b>Buoyed by AUDF in Assam, Muslims float new party in UP </b>
Lucknow, May 15: Encouraged by electoral success of of nascent Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) comprising Muslim bodies, Muslim political outfits and noted scholars of the community in Uttar Pradesh today launched a political party Peoples' Democratic Front (PDF) and decided to contest assembly polls next year.
<b>"The PDF with Shahi Imam of the Delhi Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari as its patron has been launched with a view to enabling the Muslims to share power on the basis of their distinct electoral strength", </b>president of the front and noted Shia scholar Maulana Kalbe Jawwad told newsmen here.
He said PDF would be fielding its candidates in the next assembly elections in the state as there are 147 constituencies in UP where Muslims can ensure victory of their candidates.
Jawwad said though Bukhari was supposed to be present at the press conference here, he could not turn up as he missed his morning flight.
<b>He said the decision to form a separate political outfit was arrived at a meeting of various smaller Muslim outfits like Muslim Majlis, All India Muslim Forum, Parcham Party of India, Indian League and Momin Conference.</b>
Jawwad said the doors of PDF were open to other Muslim outfits also and it would align with like-minded parties on the basis of their commitment to Muslim emancipation.
The Muslim political parties "have derived vigour and inspiration from the recently held assembly elections in Assam where a similar Muslim outfit has won significant number of seats on the basis of its own strength", he said.
<b>The AUDF won ten seats in Assam polls. </b>
<b>Jawwad charged the political parties with treating Muslims as "slaves" and alleged they "failed" to ensure that members of the community enjoyed their legitimate rights.</b>
He said attempts in this direction had also been made in the past but could not succeed because of lack of support from the Ulemas and proper cohesion between various Muslim political and religious groups.
The Maulana said PDF was confined only to Uttar Pradesh and Ulemas would not contest elections but justified the entry of religion into politics.
In reply to a question, Jawwad said PDF was not a religious outfit and doors were open to all marginalised and weaker sections<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->