Akhilesh will click better than Rahul: MP backed by both

Mohammed Adeeb,a prominent Muslim leader feels Rahuls efforts will not translate into votes.

A prominent Muslim leader,elected to the Rajya Sabha with the support of the Samajwadi Party and the Congress,feels Rahul Gandhis efforts in UP will not translate into votes but Akhilesh Yadavs emergence has helped the SP take a lead in the first four phases.

Mohammed Adeeb,a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board,called for an alliance between the two parties and said those who talk about Governors rule talk against jamhooriyat (democracy). Incidentally,Salman Khurshids close aide Shamim was present at Adeebs press conference.

Despite his efforts,Rahul Gandhi is not getting support of the people in terms of votes. Akhilesh Yadav has made his recognition as a young leader and because of this the Samajwadi Party has secured a lead in the first four phases, Adeeb said in a written statement.

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A nephew of his has been denied a Congress ticket but he said that has nothing to do with his remarks. I was asked (by the Congress) to give 15-20 Muslim candidates. I didnt give the list. I am not opposed to the Congress; I am for a stable government in UP.

Terming the Peace Party the most dangerous,the Rajya Sabha MP alleged it has been sponsored by the BJP. He questioned how the Peace Party amassed so much money.

He mocked the Congress for tatkal tickets,saying those who joined the party at night got tickets the next morning. I have written to Soniaji about it. Is it Congress culture? he said.

He felt there is a wave in favour of the SP and appealed to the Muslim community not to split their votes and rather bring in a stable SP government. In reply to queries,though,he said he has been campaigning for both Congress and SP candidates and would now go to western UP to tell Muslims that they should go for tactical voting for either,depending on who is likelier to win.