Muslim body pledges support to Cong

Lucknow, Apr 2 (UNI) All India Muslim Congress (AIMC) today pledged support to the Congress in the coming Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

Kicking off the party's election campaign here, AIMC president Haji Anwar Ali Khan called upon the office-bearers and workers to interact with all like-minded people and garner support for the Congress ''in the national interest''.

He praised Congress MP from Amethi Rahul Gandhi for his efforts to energise and empower youth with his ''well-cultured lifestyle and sobriety''.

The AIMC chief said, ''In the last 17 years of non-Congress rule in UP, crime, corruption, kidnapping and mafias have touched new highs and the people of the state are being crushed by the prevailing system.'' ''To get rid of this misgovernance, we have to support Congress in UP for better times to come,'' he asserted.

Mr Khan alleged that BSP supremo Mayawati was openly selling party ticket for hefty sums of money.

''The ruling Samajwadi Party only moves on signals of brokers like Amar Singh,'' he added.

''BJP plays emotional card of Ram temple to Hindu voters at election time and sows seeds of discord between the two communities.'' He claimed that for ushering in a positive change the Congress must be voted to power in the state.

UNI