archive: Sonia waits for Ali Mian to answer her 'prayers'
Sonia waits for Ali Mian to answer her 'prayers'
Sunita Aron
The Hindustan Times
July 21, 1999
Title: Sonia waits for Ali Mian to answer her 'prayers'
Author: Sunita Aron
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: July 21, 1999
How much would Mrs. Sonia Gandhi's meeting with Maulana Abul Hasan
Nadvi eventually help the Congress garner Muslims votes was the
question uppermost on the minds of Congress workers as they left the
UPCC complex here yesterday after listening to their leader's sermons
on unity.
Though the workers realised the need for unity, the return of Muslim
votes to the party fold remained their top priority. After all, the
party's victory at the hustings depends largely on the support of the
minorities. It was, therefore, not without reason that Mrs. Gandhi
told the maulana: "We are looking for your prayers." Maulana Nadvi,
popularly known as Ali Mian, remained quiet who make a beeline for
Nadwa before elections.
Though the cryptic conversion between maulana and Mrs. Gandhi remained
apolitical, much is being read from the 'welcome' given to her there.
The enthusiasm with which the students thronged around her as she
walked up to them after the meeting is an indicator of the change in
Muslim mood.
Indeed, this is not the first time that the Congress president has met
a Muslim cleric. The fact, however, remains that her husband and
former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was the last Congress chief to call
on Ali Mian. Rajiv had met the maulana at his Delhi residence. No
Congress president during the past decade mustered the courage to
visit Ali Mian at Nadwa, apparently because of the community's
antipathy towards the party, especially after the Ayodhya imbroglio.
If the minorities were expecting a clear cut message from Mrs. Sonia
Gandhi about her party's plans for them, they were disappointed.
Apart from BJP bashing and pulling up of party workers for alienating
minorities and Dalits from the party, Mrs. Gandhi remained quiet on
her plans for their welfare. Though the AICC chief did mention
inclusion of a development package for UP in the Congress manifesto,
she said little about various demands of the minorities. This
disturbed the leaders, especially from the minority community. They
were optimistic about the unveiling of a plan for the welfare of the
minorities, especially because her address to workers are preceded by
her visit to Nadwa. Not only that, she was also escorted by
'messiahs' of minorities, Mr. Arjun Singh and Mr. Rajesh Pilot.
Besides this, speculation about the party's failure to enter into an
electoral arrangement with the BSP further upset the leaders.
Mrs. Gandhi's effort to bring about party unity may prove elusive.
Though UPCC president Salman Khursheed did his bid to placate Mr.
Jitendra Prasad by describing him as an old-time friend, the latter
was hardly amused. In fact, Mr. Khursheed had some complimentary
words for all veterans on the dais. Whether his words helped in
healing the wounds only time would tell.
Even before she flew to Delhi, partymen were heard cribbing about the
'coterie'.
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