UDF not averse to understanding with BSP, Cong

Sultanpur, Aug 9 (UNI) The Newly-constituted United Democratic Front (UDF) today said it was not averse to an understanding with BSP and Congress for the 2007 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

UDF state president Yusuf Qureshi said that the Front would fight elections on its own, without compromising on its principles.

''In event of any compromise, we have kept our options open for BSP and Congress,'' he said.

However, the UDF leader maintained it would keep equidistance from both Samajwadi Party and BJP.

Castigating UP chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mr Qureshi said the SP chief had insulted the Muslims by speaking on the issue of Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

''While all Muslims ministers in the Mulayam government are serving the CM, none have been given important portfolios,'' the UDF state chief alleged.

Mr Qureshi is the brother of disgruntled state minister Haji Yaqoob Qureshi and UDF is the political party floated by Delhi Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmad Bukhari.

Another political party -- Peoples' Democratic Front (PDF) -- has been floated by prominent Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad.

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