Many Muslim voters in UP accuse political parties of making false promises

Kanpur, Feb 14 (ANI): With Uttar Pradesh gearing up for the third phase of polling on Wednesday, many Muslim voters in the state have accused various political outfits of making false promises.

Sections of Muslim voters claimed that leading political parties had failed to work for the upliftment of Muslim society in the state.

"Every political party selected a Muslim representative and they played politics within the Muslim community. But the Muslim society was not benefited. There was no progress in the educational field; no steps were taken to eradicate poverty," Raje Khan, a Muslim voter.

"There was no upliftment of the Muslim society. All these problems still prevail in the Muslim society," he added.

Meanwhile, Bazm-E-Qasimi Barkati General Secretary Ateek Ahmed Barkati echoing similar sentiments criticized the ruling Congress Party for being partial regarding four percent Muslims reservation issue.

"Many political parties make several promises but they do nothing. The Congress Party which raised the question of giving four percent reservation to Muslims, why is this question raised at the time election and why not before elections?" asked Barkati.

"Today, they talk about giving four percent reservation to Muslims and tomorrow they will again forget," he added.

It may be recalled here that Union Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid had during a recent poll-campaign in Uttar Pradesh promised that if the Congress Party was voted to power in the state, the sub-quota for Muslims would be increased to nine per cent within the 27 percent reservation meant for Other Backward Classes (OBC).

However, the Election Commission of India (ECI) slapped Khurshid with a notice, saying his remarks had violated the model code of conduct.

The Election Commission sought the 'immediate and decisive' intervention of President Pratibha Devisingh Patil after it charged Khurshid with 'improper and unlawful' defiance of its orders under which he was censured for promising sub-quota for minorities.

President Patil has sent Election Commission's complaint against Khurshid to the Prime Minister's Office for appropriate action. (ANI)