FORMER UNION Minister CM Ibrahim was unable to break the deadlock between the People’s Democratic Front and the UP United Democratic Front over their merger on Saturday.
The People’s Democratic Front is led by Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad. The UP United Democratic Front (UPUDF) was formed by Delhi Jama Masjid Imam Ahmad Bukhari recently.
Ibrahim, who is the chairman of the Supreme Council of the UDF, met Jawad in a bid to sort out differences. However, Jawad said he would reply only after discussing the issue with other constituents of the front. Ibrahim also met several other Muslim leaders to assess the political situation.
Talking to the Hindustan Times, Ibrahim said he was optimistic about the unity efforts between the PDF and the UDF. He said even Jawad laid stress on bringing all factions together. However, there was a hitch over the inclusion of the National Muslim League of Mohd Suleman and the Muslim Forum of Nihaluddin Ahmad. Bukhari’s hostility against the two persons is well-known. Ibrahim said he would meet Jawad again on Sunday. But, Jawad told HT that there would be no such meeting and he would reply to the proposals by June 22. Ibrahim said he would also meet other Shia clerics. He said Shia clerics were not against unity in the community.
Ibrahim also held meetings with Muslim Personal Law Board member Zafaryab Jilani and retired IAS and IPS officers whose names he refused to divulge. He held a meeting with retired IAS officer PL Punia, who was close to BSP chief Mayawati. Interestingly, while Ibrahim said he would meet Naib Imam Eidgah Khalid Rashid on Sunday, Rashid said “there is no plan to meet him”. Rashid has considerable following in the Muslim community.
{{/usCountry}}Ibrahim also held meetings with Muslim Personal Law Board member Zafaryab Jilani and retired IAS and IPS officers whose names he refused to divulge. He held a meeting with retired IAS officer PL Punia, who was close to BSP chief Mayawati. Interestingly, while Ibrahim said he would meet Naib Imam Eidgah Khalid Rashid on Sunday, Rashid said “there is no plan to meet him”. Rashid has considerable following in the Muslim community.
{{/usCountry}}Ibrahim said he wanted to broadbase the front by including OBCs and Dalits. While Ibrahim said the front was open to an alliance with any political party, he showed his inclination towards the Jan Morcha Alliance led by former Prime Minister VP Singh. Ibrahim had attended the JMA’s anti-Mulayam Singh rally here on May 30. Jilani told Ibrahim to speed up the formation of the UDF in the state so that leaders could undertake tours. He also asked Ibrahim to meet all factions — Deobandis and Barielvis.