Mulayam's sops to Muslims ahead of assembly polls

Lucknow, Dec 18 (UNI) In a bid to woo Muslims ahead of assmebly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today announced a slew of sops to Arabic Persian Madarsa Boards, besides warning the minority to be wary of the designs of BJP and Congress.

Addressing a function organised by All India Tahaffuz-e-Madaris Council on Minority Rights Day, the UP CM announced financial assistance to one hundred Arabic Persian Madarsas in the state in addition to a sanction of Rs 200 crore for the building of the Arabic Persian Madrsa Board in the state.

Reminding the minority members that no political party had ever taken any welfare measures for them, he said Samajwadi Party was the only political outfit with ''a heart for the Muslims.'' Mr Yadav also announced filling up of 34 posts in the Madarsa Board. He also announced mid-day meal scheme for madrasas of the state.

''A mini ITI would also be set up in some madrasas,'' he added, and said vocational education played a pivotal role in the education system of the country.

Utilising the occasion to lambast Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, he said it would be dangerous to bank upon these parties as they had always misguided the minorities for their political gain. ''In fact, they conspire to work against the interest of minorities,'' he said.

Not sparing the three-day meeting of the BJP National Executive, the UP CM said the Rahstriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) would be active during the meet to strategise the ''anti-Muslim'' campaign. ''The minority is well advised to have faith in Samajwadi Party for its welfare and progress,'' he said.

Mr Yadav said the BJP and Congress were trying to imepede the progress of the state thorugh their ''evil designs.'' Several Public Interest Litigations (PIL) have been filed against the government in different courts and these parties were behind the move,''he claimted.

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