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Parties flirting with Simi in West Bengal
The Congress as well as Left Front constituents are reportedly courting, though on the sly, the outlawed Student Islamic Movement of India (Simi) in a bid to win over its 'vote bank'.
The Congress as well as Left Front constituents are reportedly courting, though on the sly, the outlawed Student Islamic Movement of India (Simi) in a bid to win over its 'vote bank'.
Simi was banned in West Bengal in 2001, following the Centre’s directive.
Secret parleys, brokered by some 'well-wishers', have already begun between Simi leaders and some contestants. One such meeting took place last week at the South Kolkata residence of a prominent Congress leader, who is contesting from one of the Muslim-dominated seats in south Bengal.
Muslims, comprise about 25 per cent of the state's 4.73 crore electorate and have traditionally been voting for the Left. There are about 70 Assembly constituencies (about 10 LS seats) where Muslim voters can really tilt the scale.
The Congress and the Left -— CPM in particular — have lately fallen out of favour with Muslims for their stand on madrassas and for supporting a crackdown on Simi.
Fearing reprisal through ballot boxes, Left and Congress leaders are now trying to mend fences with the Muslims, vowing unstinted support for their welfare.
The state government is not far behind. It has offered Muslims sops such as cash grants, gifts of sewing machines, soft loans, free education and hostel facilities and subsidised dwelling units.
But a section of Simi supporters is learnt to have decided to campaign for the six candidates being put up by a low-profile politico-religious outfit, Indian National League. Simi-backed INL nominees are in the fray from Jangipur, Murshidabad, Diamond Harbour, Basirhat, Jadavpore and Kolkata North-West.
