Muslim forum wants representation in Parliament

Mumbai/Coimbatore, Mar 29 (ANI): A Muslim forum has demanded representation in Parliament proportional to their community's population.

The All India Ulema Association called upon the Congress party to nominate atleast 12 per cent candidates from the Muslim community in the upcoming general elections.

"Under the banner of All India Ulema Association, there are around 30 to 35 Muslim organisations including the All India Milli Council, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the All India Ulema Council and many others. All organisations have unanimously decided that during upcoming parliamentary elections, we will support Muslim candidates if Congress failed to accept out demands," said Maulana Syed Ather Ali, President of the association.

"This is our right. We constitute 12 per cent here and we want proper representation on the basis of our population in Parliament. Besides this, we also decided to support the candidate of non-Congress and non- NCP in some places," added Maulana Syed Ather Ali.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu State United Minority Front, a forum of mainly Christian and Muslim communities, appealed for a secular government.

"In this election, we want a neutral government, not like BJP, Communists or Congress. We want those who prefer and support minorities," said A S M Maria Nallu, General Secretary of the forum, in Coimbatore. (ANI)