Peace Party chief has reservations
Dr Mohammad Ayub (55) - a surgeon from Gorakhpur and the national president of Peace Party - is bed ridden these days, nursing an injury from a road accident recently. But that doesn't really stop him from being poll busy. Here he tells Rajesh Kumar Singh about his election strategy, the alliance he has forged with smaller political parties and their future course of action.
Dr Mohammad Ayub (55) - a surgeon from Gorakhpur and the national president of Peace Party - is bed ridden these days, nursing an injury from a road accident recently. But that doesn't really stop him from being poll busy. His Peace Party, launched in 2008, has created quite a flutter in the Congress, SP and the BSP camps for the kind of support it draws in Purvanchal, Rohilkhand, Paschimanchal, Bundelkhand and Awadh regions within three years of its existence. Here he tells Rajesh Kumar Singh about his election strategy, the alliance he has forged with smaller political parties and their future course of action.
Why are you are you forging and breaking one alliance after another?
The decision to launch Lok Kranti Morcha along with RLD was an experiment to build up an alliance of non-Congress, SP, BJP and BSP parties. With RLD joining the Congress camp, a new alliance of Peace Party - Apna Dal and Bundelkhand Congress - has been formed. The earlier alliance was just an engagement and the new one is the marriage. This will produce children in form of MLAs to serve the people.
Why is Peace Party turning out to be a shelter home for the turncoats?
The leaders of other parties are joining Peace Party as they wish to be on the winning side in the battle of ballot. BSP MLA from Bikapur assembly seat Jitendra Kumar Babloo switched to Peace Party while he was BSP MLA. After the alliance between the Congress and the RLD large number of disgruntled leaders are in contact with us. Peace Party is all set to make inroads in west UP.
You talk of clean politics and then go on and give ticket to Akhilesh Singh and Jitendra Singh Babloo, known for muscle power?
These two candidates are exceptions. I was not aware of their background. I am not going to commit the mistake again. The door of the Peace Party for the politicians with criminal background is closed. We have decided to give ticket to candidates after proper screening.
Why is Peace Party is being termed as more of a spoiler in the 2012 assembly election?
Definitely Peace Party is going to turn a spoilsport for those who have made politics a business to raise illegal money. We are getting support from all castes and religions. In 2012, none of the major political party would be able to form government without the support of Peace Party.
What is your election strategy?
Peace Party is striving to empower the communities who are marginalized in politics. When the SP came to power, the Yadav community flourished; same was the case with the Jatav community under the BSP rule. The extremely backward among dalits and backwards are yet to get the taste of political power.
The rival political parties allege that you are trying to emerge as the leader of the Muslim community?
I am working for the humanity. There is no discrimination on the ground of caste and religion in Peace Party. My only aim is justice to the have-nots.
What is the stand of Peace Party on reservation to the Muslims in government job?
Both the Congress and the BSP are not serious about Muslim reservation. To misguide the Muslims Congress, leaders are saying that they will bring bill in parliament. On the other hand, Mayawati is writing letters to the central government.
Even an illiterate Muslim knows what it is. Peace Party has been raising the issue of 'pasmanda' (have-nots) among the Muslims since long.