Muslims issue ultimatum to Congress on quota

Lucknow - 25 Oct 2011: Taking cue from Team Anna, Muslims in UP have served an ultimatum to theCongressled UPA government asking for introduction of quota for `dalit' Muslims if the party wants Muslim votes in 2012 state assembly elections.

Team Anna has launched a campaign in the state against the Congress requesting people not to vote for the party in 2012 UP assembly elections if the UPA government fails to enact a strong Lokpal in the winter session of the Parliament.

On the other hand, the Muslim Reservation Movement (MRM) have launched a campaign in which Muslim leaders and clerics in Uttar Pradesh have asked all the parties, specially Congress to take up Muslim reservation in the winter session of Parliament.

At a convention held in Lucknow, the MRM warned it would intensify its agitation affecting their poll prospects during coming assembly elections. The MRM stand against the Congress was more tough in comparison to the BSP and Samajwadi Party (SP).

The MRM demands include amendment in the Presidential Order of 1950, under Article 341 of Indian Constitution, to enable reservation system for thedalit Muslimsas given to dalit in Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs communities.

The MRM has also demanded that the backward Muslims be given nine percent reservation within the 27 percent backward quota. For this, it said, there is no legal hurdle and this demand should be fulfilled before 2012 elections.

The MRM also demanded reservation for the non-creamy layer of Muslims as recommended by the Ranganath Mishra Commission report. It has also asked for scholarships and zero fees for Muslim students as given to dalits.

"It is up to the Congress party to take up Muslim reservation issue in coming winter session. We are thankful to BSP supremo Mayawati for writing a letter in this regard to the Prime Minister," said convener MRM, Zafaryab Jilani.

SP chief Mulatam Singh Yadav has already supported MRM demand. Congress MP Mohammad Adeeb, who attended the conference, urged MRM to wait till December as UPA government is taking steps as demanded by MRM.

Muslims account for 20% of UP and can tilt balance in over 150 assembly constituencies. Significantly, the Congress leaders who described Team Anna's campaign as blackmailing, have now rushed to pacify the Muslim community.

While Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh met Muslim ulemas in Darul Uloom Nadawa-tul-Ulema in Lucknow on Sunday, in Delhi, Union coal minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal took a delegation of Muslim leaders to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday.

The Congress has also decided to hold Muslim conventions in UP in November to woo Muslims. These conventions will be held in the Muslim dominated seven districts. Rahul Gandhi will address these conventions.

Muslims parted ways from Congress in UP after Babri mosque demolition and have been voting for SP since. However, in 2007 assembly elections, BSP also got substantial Muslim votes.

The Congress received a shot in the arm in 2009 Lok Sabha elections when a section of Muslims voted for the party, as a result of which it could increase its seats from nine in 2004 Parliamentary elections to 22 in 2009.

source: TOI