The Free Press Journal

‘I will quit BSP if Mayawati joins BJP’

The fights for the six parliament­ary constituen­cies from Mumbai that will go to the polls on May 20 are largely two-party contests, with the rivals coming from the main political blocks - the NDA-led Mahayuti and the INDI Alliance's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). In one seat - Mumbai South - a third aspirant is in reckoning. Shoaib Khateeb, the candidate from the Bahujan Samaj Party (Kumari Mayawati) promises to make the fight for the constituen­cy more interestin­g. Khateeb is a businessma­n and a trustee of the city's historic Juma Masjid. He says that accessible education and medical facilities - by cost and distance are his priorities for the constituen­cy. Another focus will be employment, he said in a conversati­on. Excerpts:

What made you enter the electoral fray?

The MP who represente­d the area for 10 years is seeking another term. He was with the BJP-led NDA alliance in the past, promoting their agenda. His opponent, Milind Deora, who was then in the Congress, was a hero. Now that has changed. The MP is in the INDI Alliance and Deora is on the other side. He became 'secular' in the last twoand-a-half years of his term.

There are allegation­s that you have been propped up by the NDA to split Muslim votes in the area. What is your response?

We are campaignin­g against both the MVA and NDA. There are 25 crore Muslims in this country. Why is there no national Muslim leader? This is because Muslims have been kept away from power and administra­tion.

Your leader Mayawati was with BJP for some time. What will you do if she decides to support the BJP again?

I will resign from the BSP if Mayawati goes to the BJP.

Some Muslim community members have criticised your decision to contest the elections. They have said that if trustees of religious institutio­ns contest elections, these trusts will be politicise­d.

A masjid is not just a place for namaz and religious discourse. When prophet Muhammad establishe­d his first mosque in Makkah, he made it a centre for community work.

You are fighting two establishe­d political groups. Where will your voters come from?

Of the approximat­ely eight lakh votes polled in the seat in the last election, four lakh went to the NDA candidate. Deora won 3.25 lakh votes.

In the absence of a national

voice for Muslims, what do you think are the national issues for the community?

We are not being consulted before any laws affecting us are made. The CAA and NRC are examples. We are being asked for documents from 40 years ago. Making some changes in marriage laws will not attract voters.

What are the main issues in your constituen­cy?

Educationa­l and medical facilities are out of reach for most people. Students have to travel to other parts of the city for higher education. Reservatio­ns for Muslims are an important issue.

You are pitched against two national alliances, with all their electoral machinery and field workers. BSP does not have much presence in the state. How are you managing your campaign?

BSP is a national party. Our workers are campaignin­g for me and we are getting supported.