In threat to SP voter base, Congress holds virtual meetings with ulemas to woo minorities

Congress UP chief Ajay Kumar Lallu said the party is in election mode and is touching base with minorities including Dalits, Muslims etc.

With the BJP bolstering its Hindutva agenda, the Congress and Samajwadi Party are vying for minority votes ahead of the high-voltage Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in 2022. Keeping its stronghold in mind, the Congress party is holding virtual meetings with ulemas to win favour with the state’s Muslim population. With former SP national spokesperson Anil Yadav joining Congress and the party’s increased focus on Muslim votes, the grand old party might well pose a threat to the regional party. Anil Yadav is the husband of ex-SP leader Pankhuri Yadav, who has already jumped ship to the Congress. Congress Minority Department Chairman Shahnawaz Alam, who is leading the virtual meets, told India Today that the party has identified around two lakh madarsas in UP and is constantly holding virtual meetings with ulemas.