Cong conspiring to divide Muslims: SP

Lucknow, July 7 (UNI) Samajwadi Party today alleged that Congress was trying to divide the Muslim community by facilitating formation of Muslim political outfits headed by leaders with zero-support base.

Addressing a news conference here, senior SP leader and Uttar Pradesh family welfare minister Ahmad Hasan charged that Congress was behind the newly-floated United Democratic Front (UDF) and other Muslim outfits under a well-planned conspiracy.

''Since, Congress has no support base, it is merely working to tarnish the image of SP.'' Mr Hasan claimed Congress also aimed at weakening SP with such tactics, ''but it will never succeed in its designs.'' ''No other political party in the country can equate the works that SP has done for Muslims,'' he asserted.

Scoffing at Congress, the UP minister said the party ruled the country for 47 yrs, but did nothing for the welfare of community.

''These newly-floated parties lack popular support. This only shows the Congress' desperation and frustration at the rising strength of SP.'' Mr Hasan maintained that out of 25 state cabinet ministers, five were Muslims, while seven Muslims figured in the list of 37 Lok Sabha MPs belonging to SP.

''Similarly, of the 16 Rajya Sabha MPs of the party, three are Muslims,'' he underlined.

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