Syed Shahabuddin has sought support especially from minorities through a letter which we reproduce.
My dear friend
As you are aware I have served in the Rajya Sabha from July1979 to April1984 and subsequently I was in the Lok Sabha from December 1985 to November1989. I lost in the last General Election because at the last minute I was forced by foul play to shift to Bangalore North an unfamiliar territory.
I have now decided to contest the coming Lok Sabha Election which is to be held in May1991 from my old Constituency in Bihar-KISHANGANJ
Membership of the Parliament is not an end in itself it is a means to an end. It is not a matter of status; it is a useful forum to raise questions and to draw national attention to problems and to force the Government and the bureaucracy into action.
My record in the Rajya Sabha (1979-1984) and the Lok Sabha (1985-1989) speaks for itself I utilized it as best and as much as 1 could to project the grievances and problems hopes and aspirations of the people specially the weaker sections including the religious linguistic and ethnic minorities. I never sought office
I know that people all over the country have affection and regard for me and would like me to win my way back into the Parliament.
I may contest from a comer of the country but my constituency shall always be the entire country; my electorate the people as a whole. Most of them cannot vote for me but their blessings and good wishes are with me. However the Lok Sabha election has become a costly affair and a serious candidate cannot even hope to reach his voters unless he has at his command a modicum of resources.
I resigned from the Indian Foreign Service in 1978 at the peak of my career in order to devote myself wholly to political work. I have lived on my pension and income from my meager savings and on my parliamentary allowances. Today I simply do not have any disposable assets or liquid resources to finance even a modest campaign.
If you think that my presence in the Lok Sabha shall be useful for the Nation and for the minorities T request you to contribute your mite towards my election campaign.
Syed Shahabuddin
14 Janpath New Delhi
Article extracted from this publication >> May 3, 1991
