http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Muslim-body-quotes-price-for-votes-wants-quota-for-Dalit-Muslims-in-Parliament/articleshow/10481773.cms
25 Oct, 2011, 04.25AM IST, ET Bureau
Muslim body quotes price for votes, wants quota for Dalit Muslims in Parliament
NEW DELHI: With major parties in Uttar Pradesh vying for the largest
share of Muslim votes in the coming assembly polls, community leaders
have begun bargaining hard for a religion-based quota. In what could
make matters difficult for Congress, Muslim leaders have made the
introduction of a bill to grant quota for Dalit Muslims in Parliament
a pre-condition for their support in the 2012 state polls.
Muslims, who account for 18% of the state's electorate, are critical
for the Lucknow power project. With the Samajwadi Party, which is seen
as having the wherewithal to challenge BSP's hegemony, emerging as the
chief claimant for the community's votes, Congress has intensified
efforts to woo minority voters.
The anxiety to be on the right side of the Muslim opinion saw Congress
General Secretary Digvijaya Singh meeting ulemas at Darul Uloom
Nadawa-tul-Ulema in Lucknow on Sunday. In Delhi, coal minister Sri
Prakash Jaiswal followed it up on Monday by taking a delegation of
Muslim leaders to Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi.
But mere Muslim-friendly rhetoric may not be enough to sway the
community votes was clear when Muslim Reservation Movement (MRM)
demanded an amendment in the Presidential Order of 1950, under Article
341 of the Constitution, for granting quota to Dalit Muslims during
the winter session of Parliament.
/photo.cms?msid=10481775 "It is up to the Congress to take up Muslim
reservation issue in coming winter session. We are thankful to BSP
supremo Mayawati for writing a letter in this regard to the Prime
Minister," reports from Luknow quoting MRM convener Zafaryab Jilani
said.
SP and BSP have already pledged their support for the demand with the
aim of queering the pitch for Congress. Last month, Mayawati had
written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding reservation for
Muslims based on their population percentage.
On the quota demand, Congress spokesman Rashid Alvi said reservations
for Muslims was an important part of Congress manifesto. "The party
stands by the promise. But it is a sensitive issue and requires wider
consultations," he said. However, there is acknowledgement in Congress
that it would open a Pandora's Box.
As its support base is not restricted to a section of the electorate,
the party cannot afford to be seen as pandering to a sectional
interest. Already, Backward Muslims are covered in the 27% quota for
OBCs. "Over 70% Muslims are entitled to reservations through OBC
route. What we really need to do is make sure that this benefit
reaches the intended group," a Congress leader said.
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