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Malegaon, September 24: In 2009, Mufti Mohammed Ismail, a renowned Islamic scholar and member of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, contested his first election from Malegaon central Assembly constituency in Maharashtra and got elected. It was two years after Mufti Mohammed Ismail founded Teesra Mahaz (Third Front) against the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) in Muslim-dominated Malegaon. Mufti Ismail's Teesra Mahaz successfully contested 2007 Malegaon municipal corporation elections and ruled the civic body for five years. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2019: BJP-Shiv Sena Alliance Talks Go Awry Over Seat Sharing.
Mufti Ismail fought the 2009 Assembly election on the ticket of Jansurajya Shakti Party and defeated sitting Congress MLA Shaikh Rashid. In 2014, shortly before the Assembly polls, Mufti Ismail joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He was then defeated by Rashid's son and Congress candidate Shaikh Asif. Again, months before the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Mufti Ismail has joined a new party - All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). AIMIM Declares Four Candidates for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2019; Farooq Maqbool Shabdi to Fight From Solapur Central, Hina Momin From Pune Cantonment.
Polling for the Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held on October 21. Ahead of the voting, Latestly spoke to AIMIM candidate Mufti Ismail. Here are excerpts from the interview.
Latestly: Why did you enter politics?
Mufti Ismail: I come from a religious background. I am a member of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind's working committee and head the outfit in Malegaon. In 2007, we formed a group of city-based Islamic scholars and clerics who expressed serious concerns about lack of development due to weak political leadership over the years. It was then decided that a new political alternative should come forward.
Latestly: Why did you quit NCP and join AIMIM just before elections?
Mufti Ismail: I joined NCP because Sharad Pawar was among the firsts who called out Bhagwa terrorism. Late NCP leader RR Patil was Maharashtra's home minister when Shaheed Hemant Karkare-led ATS investigated 2008 Malegaon blast and arrested Pragya Singh Thakur, Colonel Srikant Purohit and others. However, on the issue of Triple Talaq, NCP let us down. It was Asaduddin Owaisi who strongly opposed the Triple Talaq bill in Parliament. Hence, we decided to leave NCP and join AIMIM.
Latestly: You contested your first election on the ticket of Jansurajya Shakti Party. Then you joined NCP and now you are with AIMIM. Will there be a day when you would be with the BJP?
Mufti Ismail: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been trying to induct me since 2014. They offered me a Lok Sabha ticket as well. But our ideologies are poles apart.
Latestly: Your bond with Yunus Isa family (a strong political family in Malegaon) is beyond understanding. You made Yunus Isa's son Abdul Malik mayor. Then he contested election against you which eventually led to your defeat. But Malik and entire Yunus Isa family is now with you?
Mufti Ismail: It is all about circumstances and situations. Yunus Isa family had joined NCP after I got elected as an MLA. When Sharad Pawar contacted me and inducted me in the party, many were impressed by my persona and work. Therefore, the party's presidentship was given to me in Malegaon, which irked Yunus Isa family and they quit and joined AIMIM. But this time, when Asaduddin Owaisi contacted me, I kept Yunus Isa family in the loop and made it clear that I don't want any post in the party.
Latestly: You served as an MLA for five years. Can you list five of your works during the tenure?
Mufti Ismail: One of the biggest achievements of mine was Gharkul Yojna under which 11,520 flats are to be made for people living in slums. Half of them are ready. About rest, you can contact my PA, he will give details.
Latestly: If you get elected this time, what will be your priorities?
Mufti Ismail: My foremost priority will be to ensure undisrupted water supply and electricity across my constituency especially in suburban areas. Road construction has been an issue in the city and I want to work more on this. I will continue my efforts to get state government's permission for two flyovers, two engineering colleges and Rs 500 crore fund for new gram panchayats included in the city.
Latestly: You always spoke against dynasty politics. But your son seems active in political engagements. Will he contest the next corporation election?
Mufti Ismail: Sometimes I get stuck in some work so I send him to attend some events. But there is no such plan for now that he will contest polls.
Latestly: You are a key member of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. Your general secretary Mehmood Madni justified revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370, which miffed many. What is Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind's stand on Article 370?
Mufti Ismail: Jamiat believes Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. But Jammu and Kashmir's accession was done on some conditions. Those conditions should have been protected.
Latestly: Incidents of mob lynching happen almost daily. What efforts is Jamiat taking to bridge the gap between majority and minority communities?
Mufti Ismail: Jamiat believes in brotherhood and communal harmony. We have started programmes under which non-Muslims are invited at mosques and madrassas to watch live what actually happens. Non-Muslims are invited as guests to witness programmes and events organised by madrassas so that all misconceptions can be removed.
Latestly: Asaduddin Owaisi is an articulate speaker. However, he fumbles when he is asked about his brother Akbaruddin Owaisi's infamous speech. What do you think about his remarks that if police are removed for 15 minutes, we (Muslims) will finish 100 crore Hindus?
Mufti Ismail: Akbaruddin Owaisi got swayed by emotions when he made these remarks. I don't agree with his remarks.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2019 02:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
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