Cong plans special package for Muslims

The promise of a Ministry for Minority Affairs itself shows the lengths to which the Congress is willing to go to grab the crucial Muslim vote. This is the first time that a political party has thought along these lines.

The need for Ministry for Minority Affairs, argue Congressmen, has arisen because the minorities — Muslims in particular — invariably get a "raw deal" after every election. With no umbrella ministry to protect their interests, they are at the mercy of a scattered array of disjointed forums. Thus, while the Haj Committee is looked after by the External Affairs Ministry, the Minority Financial Development Corporation falls under the Finance Ministry and the functioning of Waqf Board is supervised by the Welfare Ministry.

The proposed ministry, according to a senior Congress leader, would be the overall supervisory body of all these forums.

Besides, the manifesto committee has also accepted the suggestion for setting up a Minority Education Commission. Explained a leader, "It is an accepted fact that educationwise, Muslims are extremely backward. The Commission would be instrumental in co-ordinating tens of thousands of `madrasas’ and other educational institutions situated throughout the country and accord them proper recognition."

This time, both the Congress and the BJP are leaving no stone unturned to woo the Muslim vote. But in contrast to the Congress, the BJP has not even cleared its first draft. Busy preparing the list of candidates, a part of which was released on Monday, members of the party’s manifesto committee have met only once.

Things are moving at a much swifter pace in the Congress. Its manifesto panel, it is learnt, has by and large accepted the recommendations of several senior leaders who, after two recent rounds of discussions at Najma Heptulla’s residence, stressed on going all out for the Muslim votes. Those instrumental in evolving the special package for the minorities include CWC men Tariq Anwar, Ghulam Nabi Azad and chairman of Cong Minority Cell Shahid Siddiqui.