Sibling rivalry in Malerkotla

Ruchika M Khanna & Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Malerkotla, January 20

Two-time MLA and Congress candidate Razia Sultana is locked in a tough triangular fight in this Muslim-dominated constituency. Her major opponents include her brother, AAP candidate Arshad Dali Khan, and Akali nominee Mohammad Owais.

Malerkotla town and its surrounding villages are dotted with Congress flags. Loudspeakers mounted on rickshaws and autorickshaws blare out paeans to the party, overshadowing the publicity drive of rival candidates.

Even though AAP was blamed for last year’s Quran sacrilege that threatened peace here, the party is getting a good response from voters, especially in the rural areas. Owais, a leading businessman-philanthropist and the biggest employer here, is banking on his goodwill and social standing.

Razia, who won the 2002 and 2007 elections from here, but lost in 2012 to SAD’s Farzana Alam, seems better placed this time. Many people in the town believe that she is a rubber-stamp MLA as the real power is wielded by her husband Mohammad Mustafa, a Punjab-cadre IPS officer. However, she has managed to keep the party cadre together. She remains unfazed by her detractors as she campaigns door to door in the bylanes near the Ludhiana road, meeting people and seeking their mandate in her favour. She also claims to enjoy the “blessings” of former Mufti-e-Azam Fazail Ur Rehman Hilal Usmani, an influential Muslim cleric.

Her political opponents have upped the ante against her “powerful” husband, saying that like in the last election, this time, too, the Election Commission should bar him from entering the constituency as they fear he can use his clout to coerce voters. She, however, denies his interference in her poll campaign.

Razia’s brother threatens to eat into her vote bank among Gujjar Muslims. His move to bring the family feud into the public domain could upset her applecart. An actor and a former councillor, Arshad sees himself as the challenger to his sister and brother-in-law, and admits that voters apprehend the use of muscle power by the duo. He, however, rubbishes the claims that the AAP campaign has been hit by the sacrilege incident or that AAP MLA Naresh Yadav had any role in it. “Voters know who orchestrated the incident and the violence thereafter,” he says.

People in the town, however, feel that AAP’s chances have been blighted by a “weak” candidate, who is also related to Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal. The party has sent its Delhi MLA, Amanatullah Khan, to give a boost to Arshad’s campaign.

Owais, handpicked by Sukhbir, is facing opposition from Akali leaders. Incumbent MLA Farzana Alam is staying aloof. The wife of former police officer Mohammad Izhar Alam, she was made the Wakf Board chairman a few months ago to compensate her for being denied the party ticket. But despite the setbacks, Owais is expected to give a tough fight to the Congress candidate.