2012 polls: Sufis not to to vote for Wahabis, BJP

New Delhi, Jan 14: With caste and religion based politics still rearing its ugly head, a leading body of Sunni sufis, the All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board (AIUMB) asked its people to vote against Wahabi and BJP candidates in both the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand polls. This move could spoil the plans of several Muslim candidates in UP.

AIUMB General Secretary Maulana Syed Mohammad Ashraf Kichhouchhwi has been quoted as saying, "Irrespective of parties, people should vote only those candidates who are secular, have a clean image and will work for development, including education and employment."

Spitting fire at the divisive agenda of political parties, IUMB National Secretary Babar Ashraf stated that all parties including Congress, SP and BSP are fielding Muslim candidates hailing from the hard line Wahabis who are a threat to the peace and secular fabric of the country.

The Sufis which claim to represent 80% of the country's Muslims, said that they will not support any political party. Maulana commented, "We had announced our demands at October Muslim mahapanchayat in Moradabad, which include initiatives for education and employment of Muslims, freeing Waqf properties from forcible occupation and Wahabi domination, framing a Dargah Act, among others."

The AIUMB had earlier demanded that whichever political party that includes their demands in the parties manifesto for the election will get their support. Maulana commented, "None of the parties have done that yet. So, we are not supporting any party."

The move will spell catastrophe for UP, since 30% of the electorate comprises of Muslims in the 121 assembly constituencies. Maulana said, "Except Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar and Meerut, Sunni sufis are in a majority in the rest of UP. We are chalking out a strategy to oppose Wahabi candidates. Depending how things play out, we can field independent candidates to spoil chances of the Wahabis."

Ashraf added, "All parties, including SP's Iqbal Mehmood, RLD's Azan Qureshi and BSP, have fielded Wahabis. We have a majority following among Muslims here. Even if our candidate doesn't win, it will dent the support of Wahabis."

OneIndia News