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| Minorities matter in UP Assembly polls | | Sonia Gandhi's new trick to woo Muslim voters | |
BL KAK
NEW DELHI, Apr 18: Muslim opinion makers in politically-important State of Uttar Pradesh (UP) seem to have gained much importance, with the Congress supremo, Sonia Gandhi, openly reckoning the fact that the Muslim vote bank has a decisive role to play in making or marring the fortunes of the contestants from various parties in the battle of the ballot. Clearly, ahead of the third phase of polling, which began on Wednesday, the Congress leadership adopted yet another way to reach out to the Muslims.
Sonia Gandhi dashed off a letter to 15,000 Muslim opinion makers asking them to vote for the Congress party. In the letter Sonia Gandhi says that the community should vote for the Congress. And she says that in chaste Urdu. Senior Congress leader, Mohsina Kidwai, who is one of the advisors to Sonia Gandhi on Muslim politics and perceptions, strongly defended the Congress supremo's move culminating in making use of Urdu language in her letter to Muim opinion makers.`
"Urdu has been our language. It has contributed in the freedom struggle as well", Mohsina Kidwai said. The letter carries Sonia Gandhi's personal touch and is meant to address the Muslim intelligentsia directly. Indicating that Mulayam Singh Yadav cannot be their future in UP, Sonia Gandhi is asking them to give her a helping hand.
The letter says: "As the president of Congress, I am trying to keep the secular structure of this country strong. Being the largest party in India, it is our responsibility to create a society where no section faces trouble or injustice. This is a massive task and will not be possible without your support. You are well aware of the situation Uttar Pradesh is facing today. I request you to help us in this fight against discrimination on the basis of caste and religion. I hope you will vote for our candidates and strengthen us as a party".
The Congress has been making a conscious attempt to woo the minorities. Rahul Gandhi's roadshow began with his controversial statement that the Babri Masjid demolition would not have happened if any of members of the Nehru-Gandhi family was occupying the Prime Minister's chair.
Sonia Gandhi's letter will be of crucial significance in the remaining five phases of the UP elections, especially in Muslim-dominated Rohilkhand, which went to the polls on Wednesday.
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