Ticket distribution: Muslim groups point out low representation

Dehradun: Muslim community in Uttarakhand has shown their displeasure over "low representation" in the lists of candidates announced by political parties so far. The two major parties, Congress and BJP, have released their list of candidates for the upcoming assembly polls on 64 and 59 assembly seats, respectively.
While the ruling party did not field a single Muslim candidate, Congress has fielded just two.The low representation has been pointed out by many, since, according to the Census 2011, Muslim population in Uttarakhand is 14%.
“It is unfortunate that secular parties did not give due representation in ticket distribution. Muslims enjoy a decent presence in at least 23 seats and have a heavy presence in nine seats of the plain districts. We will field our own candidates in Muslim-populated seats to teach these secular parties a lesson,” said Naeem Qureshi, president of Muslim Seva Sangathan.
“We had a meeting with our party leadership. The BJP will get Muslim votes since they have benefitted from the schemes initiated by PM Modi. We are hoping that BJP will field a Muslim candidate from Piran Kaliyar seat since the ticket of the other minority-dominated seat (Manglaur) was given to Dinesh Pawar,” said Shadab Shams, BJP member and deputy chairman of 15-point programme implementation panel under the state minority welfare department.
“We have given three tickets out of 64 to the minority community. We wanted to field six candidates from the minority community which we hope will be realised when the candidates for the remaining 6 seats are announced. A senior Muslim leader from Kiccha seat has refused to contest. So, that seat went to Tilak Raj Behar,” said Tahir Ali, president of the minority-wing of the Congress in Uttarakhand.