LUCKNOW(PTI): Muslim votes are likely to be divided in Uttar Pradesh in the forthcoming assembly elections as the community does not aye a clear choice in the changed political scenario in the state.

It had pinned all its hopes on the Samajwadi party leader and former chief minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was a clear winner after the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya . However, his indirect support to Prime Minister, P.V.Narasimha Rao, in the Monsoon session of Parliament, and indications that he might take support of the Ruling Congress (I) in case of a hung assembly have upset the community.

Yaday continues to provide “lip service’ to the community and denies any change in his stand on issues concerning them, but his motive has become suspect in the light of recent developments which led to his party abstaining from the crucial voting in the Lok Sabha: along with his political ally, Bahujan Samaj Party.

‘The Muslim community has also not taken kindly 16 Mulayam Singh’s ‘hobnobbing’ with the left parties and the virtual rejection of the offer of an electoral alliance with other non BJP and non Congress parties which could throw a formidable challenge to the pro-Hindu party.

In fact, after V.P.Singh left the Congress and taken the initiative for a new caste combination with Muslims, they had a clear choice.

They found a “saviour” again in 1990in Yadav whosaved the Babn. Masjid from any major damages and nsked his popularity among a section of Hindus. Understandably, he received a good support from the community. Now, neither is Yadav nor Singh so popular with them for different reasons. The Raja of Manda has done or said little in the past few months to soothe the tempers which ran high after the demolition of the disputed structure. They feel equally betrayed after Singh relegated the Ayodhya imbroglio to the background and trend to bring the Mandal issue on top of the national agenda. His failing health and inability to wagea serous battle against the BJP or the Congress has also been worrying the community.

Article extracted from this publication >>  September 10, 1993