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Teachers and activists: AAP attracts a new kind of Muslim voter.

Even as it faces the charge of appeasing Muslims, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) reached out to the community at an event held in the national capital on Thursday. At the programme, members from the community, which form 11 percent of the city’s population, joined the party in the presence of its convener Arvind Kejriwal.

Rather than religious leaders who are typically wooed by politicians, the AAP has attracted social workers, activists and academicians, all of whom are unanimous in blaming the Congress and the BJP for using religious communities as vote-banks.

“Muslims are becoming aware now. They ask questions and cannot be taken for granted. This does not go well with traditional parties who want everyone to toe their lines. In the AAP, we see the scope for discussion and discourse,” said 45 year old Mashkoor Ahmed, a former student leader from Jamia Millia Islamia University, who previously worked with the Congress and the Janata Dal parties.

The hope, as with other AAP volunteers, is that its democratic image will usher in a new brand of politics.

Firoz Bakht Ahmed, social activist and a teacher at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, will be working with the party’s media cell. “This party comprises people who have faced all the problems faced by an aam aadmi. And therefore, they relate to the grassroots unlike traditional parties which have started taking power for granted,” he said.

At the event, AAP leaders also criticised traditional political parties for historically depriving the community its rights. “The government treats Muslims citizens at its tenants. Before taking the property on rent, they have to prove their credentials. All parties including the Left have not given the community its due,’ said Yogendra Yadav.

The party also condemned Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, whose name will likely be announced as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate. “Modi as prime minister is dangerous not only for a particular community, but for the whole country,” said Yadav.

Last month, Arvind Kejriwal faced allegations of appeasing Muslims after he wrote an open letter to the community. In the letter dated 12 July, Kejriwal criticised the government for implicating Muslim youths in false terror cases. He demanded fair enquiry in Batla House and Ishrat Jahan encounters. Within days, he had to issue another letter defending his stand in the matter.

The Muslim community is not the only target of AAP outreach. With an eye on 2013 Delhi assembly elections, the AAP has been trying to reach out to members of various communities and castes. Party members have held various meetings with leaders of the scheduled caste community. Earlier this month, it launched its election symbol ‘broom’ in a valmiki colony in central Delhi.

In May, AAP leaders sat on a one- day fast in solidarity with Sikh victims of the 1984 riots after the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the case. Party members have also held several meetings with farmer groups in Haryana.

Four out of forty AAP candidates declared thus far are Muslims. The party is likely to field Muslims candidates from Chandi Chowk and Okhla assembly seats.

source:http://www.firstpost.com

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