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A prominent Shia cleric today announced to contest the forthcoming Lok Sahba election from Lucknow under the aegis of Shia Democratic Alliance.
The candidature of Maulana Ali Hussain Kummi, who would file his nomination on April 4, would pitch him against BJP president Rajnath Singh and Congress' Rita Bahuguna Joshi.
Lucknow has a sizeable Muslim population in the Old City areas comprising both Shia and Sunni sects.
Alleging neglect by major political parties in giving representation to Shia community, the Alliance would field candidates on about a dozen seats in Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Hardoi and Barabanki.
"All political parties, including Congress and BJP have only paid lip service to the Shias. Now, we have decided to show our strength by contesting polls," Maulana Kummi, who is also the Alliance general secretary, told Business Standard here.
He claimed the Alliance had the blessings of all the major Shia clerics and leaders in Lucknow.
Maulana Kummi lamented parties treated Muslims as vote banks, especially Shias. He admitted to the delay in forging the Alliance as the nomination process had long started.
"Better late than never now we have formed the Alliance and searching for suitable candidates from key constituencies. In future elections, we would fight with full vigour," he informed.
"We want the participation of every section of society in our political initiative. Therefore, we are mulling changing our name to National Democratic Alliance soon," he added.
