ALL INDIA MUSLIM
MAJLIS-e-MUSHAWARAT
Mushawarat Endorses Congress in all Straight Contests with BJP
Recommends Voting for Strongest Secular Candidate in any Constituency with Multiple Secular Candidates
Advises Preference for Muslim Candidates in Seats with
High Muslim Concentration
Urges United and Massive Voting by Secular Voters
New Delhi, 27 November, 2003: Shri Syed Shahabuddin, President of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), has issued the following Statement:
"The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) appeals to the electorate in the coming Assembly elections to defeat the BJP, the mouthpiece of Hindutva forces, which have developed a chauvinist and fascist dimension and are threatening to change the Constitution, defy the rule of law in Ayodhya and to repeat Gujarats all over the country. They divide the people on communal lines and excite religious passions, for the BJP, their political front, to reap electoral harvest.
The AIMMM regrets that there has been no electoral adjustment or even understanding among the secular parties. As a result in some constituencies, more than one recognized secular parties have fielded their candidates. This will undoubtedly divide the secular votes to BJP’s advantage unless the secular electorate is vigilant.
In most of the constituencies there is a straight fight between the Congress and the BJP. In many others the Congress candidate appears to be obviously the strongest among the candidates of all secular parties. In such constituencies, the secular electorate must vote for the Congress.
But there may be some constituencies in which the candidate of another secular party with a broader social base, is in a stronger position to defeat the BJP. In those constituencies, the secular electorate should identify and vote for that candidate.
In a few constituencies where the Muslims form at least 20% of the electorate and constitute the biggest social segment and where Muslim candidates have a good chance to win, the Congress has chosen not to field a Muslim candidate. In such constituencies, like Babarpur in Delhi and Burhanpur in M.P. the secular voters should, in a spirit of social justice, vote for the strongest Muslim candidate, so long as he represents a secular party and has a fair chance to defeat the
BJP.
To sum up, the AIMMM advises the secular electorate;
a) to vote generally for the Congress candidates in most constituencies
b) to vote for the strongest candidate, fielded by any secular party in some constituencies; and
c) to vote for the Muslim candidate of a secular party in the few constituencies with high Muslim concentration, irrespective of the party the AIMMM reiterates its appeal to the secular electorate:
* To vote unitedly for one candidate in each constituency, and
* To vote massively and see that not a single vote is wasted.
Sd/- Syed Shahabuddin
ALL INDIA MUSLIM
MAJLIS-e-MUSHAWARAT
N-44, Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi - 110 025 Phone: 2632
6780 Fax: 2632 7346 Email:
muslim@del3.vsnl.net.in q
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