What the ulemas couldn’t do, BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has achieved. He has succeeded in uniting different sects of Muslims in the State. Not just the Sunnis and Shias, but those subscribing to different schools of thought have decided to bury their differences for the time being to combat the bigger threat looming ahead.
The clear and present danger to them is the poll favourite, Mr. Modi. With hardly 17 days left for the D-day, various socio-religious organisation of Muslims are holding a series of meetings and consultations to formulate an electoral strategy to keep Mr. Modi at bay. The Jamiat-ul-Ulema-e-Hind, the Muslim United Forum (MUF), the newly-formed Telangana Muslim Muttahada Mahaz have held elaborate sessions to shortlist the party they would support.
The MUF and Jamiat-ul-Ulema have put forth their charter of demands before the Telangana Congress Party and received positive response from TPCC president, Ponnala Lakshmiah. But they are yet to arrive at a decision. The MUF is also approaching TRS, YSRCP and the Jai Samaikyandhra party with its demands and only after their responses it will take a decision. However, both the bodies have shunned the TDP following its alliance with the BJP.
Both the groups, which have a considerable hold on the community, are expected to extend support to the Congress as they are wary about the TRS and YSRCP sailing with the BJP post election. While the saffron party has always been a taboo for the minorities, they now think it all the more dangerous with Mr. Modi tipped for the top job.
Such is the Modi phobia that various Muslim organisation are giving advisories to the community on whom to vote. The NRI Muslims are also active on the internet with their suggestions. The All-India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, an umbrella body of Muslims organisations, has asked the secular voters to thwart the ‘fascist agenda’ and help secular forces win.
It has asked the community to vote for Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress at national level and for Muslim parties in Kerala, Assam and Hyderabad.
