Mumbai, Mar 25: Suspecting a major division of secular votes in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in the wake of a large number of Muslim parties joining the electoral fray, a delegation of Muslim intellectuals and religious scholars will be visiting the northern state this week.

The visit is being organised by the All India Ulema Board, general secretary Allama Bonai Naeem Hasni told UNI. The board, which has a significant following, is led by noted Islamic scholar Maulana Abu Zafar Hasan Azhari.

Hasni said the delegation would appeal to members of the Muslim community to come out in large numbers on the polling day and exercise their franchise.

He made it clear that the board would not to support any political party or group, but support candidates after assessing their secular credentials, irrespective of the political party.

In Lucknow, the members would also meet local religious scholars and individuals.

Talking about the political situation in Uttar Pradesh, he said that with too many smaller Muslim organisations in the race, it would lead to a division of votes of secular forces and ultimately help the communal forces, which the board is opposed to.


UNI

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