Mukesh Ranjan
Tribune News Service
Saharanpur/Bijnor April 4
With the Congress fielding its candidates in 15 out of 17 seats in western Uttar Pradesh, which are going to polls in the first two phases on April 11 and 18 respectively, the Mahagathbandhan candidates are feeling the heat. The trouble appears to be even more in three seats — Saharanpur, Bijnor and Moradabad — where the Congress has given ticket to formidable Muslim candidates.
In Saharanpur, Congress’ Imran Masood’s entry into the fray is proving detrimental to the alliance’s nominee Hazi Fazurul Rehman (BSP), as his presence, many in the constituency feel, may lead to division of minority votes. The SP-BSP-RLD alliance was struck with an aim to consolidate Muslim, Dalit and Jat votes on the 17 seats of western UP.
“This consolidation is a definite winning formula. But things have changed since the line-up for the contests became clear. Now it appears that the Congress is more interested in damaging the prospects of alliance candidates than defeating the divisive party (BJP),” alleged a senior BSP functionary, who is toiling hard to convince his fellow Muslim voters that it is only Rehman who can defeat BJP’s Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma. Sharma is seeking re-election from the seat.
When this reporter spoke to a cross-section of minority voters in Behat Assembly segment of the constituency, which comprises 30 per cent Muslim population, they gave mixed reactions on the issue of supporting candidates.
“We are all confused since Imran bhai has entered the fray. He has been an old hand and has personal rapport with the electorate in the area. Initially when the alliance was struck, we thought our votes will go en block to its candidate, but now, people are also talking about Imran bhai,” said Muneer Shah, who runs a small shop on the outskirts of Behat on the road connecting Shakhumbari Shaktipeeth Temple.
The scene appears to be no different in Bijnor, which will also go to the polls in the first phase. The Congress chose to field former BSP leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui, who was once considered to be a right hand of Mayawati. Here the alliance nominee Malook Nagar (BSP) is also facing division in minority votes though the SP district functionaries are trying hard to convince them.
In Moradabad, the Congress has fielded Imran Pratapgarhi, while the alliance’s nominee is Dr ST Hasan of the SP. Many in the constituency said a division in Muslim votes would help BJP’s Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar.
Minority votes may be divided
- Residents of Saharanpur, Bijnor and Moradabad fear split of minority votes as the Congress has chosen Muslim candidates in all three constituencies
- In Saharanpur, the entry of Congress’ Imran Masood into the fray is proving detrimental to the alliance’s nominee Hazi Fazurul Rehman
- The scene appears to be no different in Bijnor where the Congress has fielded former BSP leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui, once considered a key aide of Mayawati
- In Moradabad, the Congress has fielded Imran Pratapgarhi and many in the constituency said a division in Muslim votes will help the BJP candidate
from The Tribune http://bit.ly/2G0wQgu
via Today’s News Headlines
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