Muslims,who eluded the Samajwadi Party (SP) at its previous rallies in Azamgarh and Mainpuri,turned up in good numbers along with clerics during the partys Desh Bachao,Desh Banao rally at Islamia College ground in Bareilly Thursday. Bareilly cleric and head of Ittehad-e-Millat (IMC) Tauqeer Raza Khan was present along with his two brothers Tasleem Raza Khan and Tauseef Raza Khan on the stage. Another prominent cleric,Haji Mumtaz,who heads Saqlaini group in Bareilly,too,was seated on the stage. Muslim leaders like former MLA Islam Sabir,his daughter-in-law Ayesha Islam,the Lok Sabha candidate from Bareilly,and Yaseem Usmani,a cleric from Badaun,were also given seats on the stage. Tauqeer Raza addressed Mulayam as Hamare Neta and claimed to have offered him his support for defeating communal forces. Muslims are a bit apprehensive about the working of state government,but it is not the opportune time to discuss it. I have decided not to contest the Lok Sabha elections only to support Mulayam, Tauqeer Raza stated. Minister Azam Khan,who is known not to share a good rapport with clerics,too,appreciated Tauqeer Raza. We are thankful that you are supporting us and it is now your responsibility to strengthen SP in the region, Azam said. Muslim legislators Abid Raza,Ataur Rehman,Shahzil Islam,ministers Reyaz Ahmed,Kamal Akhter were given responsibilities to manage the crowd.
