New Islamic party born in UP ahead of elections

Lucknow: The BJP’s concept of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ may not have cut much ice with the people of the country but a new political outfit called Islam Party has announced that its aim is to establish Islamic rule in India.

A poster released by the Islam Party in Azamgarh district categorically states that “there is only one way to establish Islamic rule in India — Islam Party”.

The poster carries a picture of the party’s national general secretary, Aftab Qamar Ansari, and urges voters to cast their vote in the name of Islam. Mr Ansari will be contesting the Mubarakpur seat in Azamgarh district, which is the Parliamentary constituency of Samajwadi Party (SP) president Mulayam Singh Yadav and is also known for a high percentage of Muslim population.

Talking to this correspondent, Mr Ansari said his party would contest mainly in Muslim-dominated constituencies of the state. He said that the selection of candidates was underway and the list would be released soon.

He said that Muslims had been duped by almost all political parties and it was now time for the community to develop its own party and leadership.

Asked if it was not unconstitutional to promote a party in the name of religion and community, he retorted, “In that case, the Bahujan Samaj Party should be banned but it survives on dalits”.