Most Muslims, whom we met at the Imambara, wanted a BJP defeat at any cost. At the same time they said they are disillusioned with the Samajwadi Party after it joined hands with former BJP chief minister Kalyan Singh under whose regime the Babri Masjid was demolished in December 1992.
We heard identical Muslim views in Faizabad and other towns in Uttar Pradesh.
Many feel the BJP has a chance this election to make a comeback of sorts in Uttar Pradesh. So what will the Muslims do? They will vote for the strongest possible candidate in a constituency who can vanquish the BJP.
Says Zafaryab Jilani, convenor, All India Babri Masjid Action Committee, "Ever since Mulayam Singh joined hands with Kalyan Singh, the distance between the community and the Samajwadi Party has widened. The community will not indulge in positive voting like they did earlier for the SP. This time, it is negative voting. That means vote for the best candidate among the secular parties who can defeat the BJP nominee."
Image: Zafaryab Jilani says defeating BJP candidates will be the Muslims' primary objective this election.
Also read: N Gopalaswami on Varun Gandhi's hate speech | India Votes
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