Ulema Council tests waters in Lucknow

The state government had constituted an inquiry commission headed by Justice Nimesh in March 2008 to look into the allegations of the family members of two accused persons in the UP court blast cases — Tariq and Khalid — that they were falsely implicated.

The rally was held at Mini Stadium Ground in Vikash Nagar area of Lucknow and was also addressed by the president of one Janwadi Party Sanjay Chauhan.

The Janwadi Party is active in few districts of eastern UP and is trying to mobilise support of the Most Backward Castes like Chauhan,Nonia and Rajbhar. Chuahan denied his party has any plans to enter into an alliance with the Lok Manch,the outfit that Amar Singh plans to float.

He even criticised Amar Singh for suddenly showing his concern for the MBC (Most Backward Castes) and issues like creation of a separate Purvanchal.

Meanwhile,Ulema Council president Amir Rashadi reiterated his demand for judicial probe into the Batla House encounter. He also said his party would continue to oppose the Congress across UP.

Rashadi demanded a 9.4 per cent share for Muslim backwards in the 27 per cent reservations meant for the OBC people.  

The Ulema Council rally in Lucknow comes at a time when the Congress is trying to restore its base among the Muslims.

Observers said the Council apparently wanted to show its strength in the state capital to prepare its ground for the next Assembly elections due in 2012.