KANPUR: BJP has given tickets to 11 Muslims for the urban local body (ULB) polls. A senior party functionary said the decision was taken in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message that the party wanted to empower the community and give them leadership roles. Muslim candidates have been named by BJP in 11 wards out of 110 wards of the city, including women candidates for five wards.
The candidates include Rabia Khatoon from Jajmau (South), Gulshan Jahan Ansari from Beconganj, Masuma Khatoon from Chandari, Rafatnaz from Begumpurwa, Mohd Faisal Ayubi from Babupurwa, Meenu Khan from Chamanganj, Raees Babu Mansuri from Talaq Mahal, Gufran Ahmed from Nazir Bagh, Nasir Moosa from Colonelganj, Nazma Begum from Dalel Purwa and Ejaz Ahmed from Jajmau (South).
City in charge Vijay Bahadur Pathak said BJP is taking forward policies of the prime minister to reach out to the deprived and downtrodden among the community.
Ejaz Ahmed, given a ticket to contest from Jajmau (South), said, “I am contesting the poll on civic issues and Iam telling my people that BJP is working for the uplift of Muslims, who are already enjoying the benefits of welfare schemes, like Ujjwala.” On the other hand, Congress has fielded Muslim candidates for 21 out of 90 seats.