The elections to the India Islamic Cultural Centre on Lodi Road have evoked an unusual interest this time with as many as five panels battling it out for the various positions. The polling is being held on August 11th, after Sirajuddin Qureshi, who dominated the affairs of this institution for nearly two decades, was barred from contesting for the Presidentship because he had crossed the permissible age limit of 75 years. He moved the Court in the hope that he would get some sort of relief but after this did not happen, he had no choice but to back out and file his nomination for being a Managing Trustee. Qureshi, who in the past had defeated stalwarts like Salman Khurshid and Arif Mohammad Khan, has this time propped up a panel headed by Dr Majid Ahmed Talikoti, a medical doctor.
However, his support base stands eroded to some degree since many of those who were with him in the past have joined other panels. The common belief was that his nominees would get past in this election as well, given that the anti-Qureshi vote may be split between other panels enabling an easy victory. What has complicated the matter is that Qureshi’s proximity with certain BJP leaders and RSS functionaries, has given enough fodder to those opposing him to label him as a proxy of the Sangh Parivar as also of the NDA. His close associate, S.M.Khan, former Media Advisor to President Abdul Kalam, was at one stage considered to be the front runner for the presidentship. He apparently felt let down when Qureshi chose Dr Majid and also after the impression went around, rightly or wrongly, that RSS leader Inderesh and the NSA Ajit Doval were taking keen interest in the activities of the Centre. Khan distanced himself from his old associate and friend, and has joined hands with former Union Minister, Salman Khurshid, who has emerged as a formidable challenger this time. Although Salman, has not involved the Congress in the elections but somehow the perception has been created that he was virtually a nominee who enjoyed the support of the strong anti-Sangh lobby, particularly those having allegiance with the INDIA bloc. He has apparently reached out to those who have been associated with the Samajwadi Party and are considered close to Akhilesh Yadav as well as supporters of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah.
The contest, inadvertently, has got the complexion of that between the NDA partners and those who were with the INDIA bloc. This may not be necessarily true since others in the fray, although not with the Sangh in any manner, enjoy a good standing in the community. The three other panels are being headed by former Revenue Service officer Abrar Ahmed, retired bureaucrat, Afzal Amanullah and businessman and entrepreneur Asif Habib.
Interestingly, supporters of Qureshi such as Ahmed Raza `Kari’, a very respectable and influential individual, has joined hands with Abrar Ahmed and is seeking the position of Vice President. Similarly, journalist and commentator, SHA Rizvi, and a former associate of Qureshi is aiming to become a Trustee from the Asif Habib panel. The campaigning is in full swing and every day, the prominent contestants host a dinner or lunch for fellow members to solicit their support. The elections are deceptive in the sense that it is extremely difficult to discern the mood of the electorate. The common thread given the political atmosphere in the country, is that the interest evinced by a Sangh functionary in the Centre’s affairs, is being viewed critically as an attempt to interfere in the functioning of the Centre. It effectively means that Qureshi is on the backfoot despite the fact that he also enjoys a very good connection with a number of Congress and Samajwadi leaders at a personal level. He could have still won, had he been the main contestant himself, but getting a proxy elected as is being alleged, is never going to be easy. Salman on the other hand is cashing on this sentiment and with his secular credentials intact, he is wooing the members with the promise of improving the activities of the Centre so as to make them more inclusive.
He is also batting for a three-year term for the President, on the plea that if someone cannot deliver in this period, to expect him to give his best in five years was like fooling oneself. Incidentally, the Islamic Cultural Centre was given this piece of land by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi after she had been approached by respected community elders such as the Chief of Hamdard way back in the 1980s. The original plan was to name it India Islamic Centre, but it was at Indira Gandhi’s behest, the word “Cultural’’ was included since she said that it should promote cultural issues rather than religious. The Centre subsequently was inaugurated by Sonia Gandhi. The other panelists have a long agenda laid out for the electorate and have made promises, the common one being that they would enhance the activities and functioning of the Centre with a view of making the cultural aspects both inclusive and prominent. There is also apprehension that the Central government, which had found it necessary to intervene in the affairs of the Gymkhana Club and some other institutions, may plan a takeover of the Centre at a later stage. The various panels in the fray have some inherent contradictions, which were managed well by Qureshi during his long and extended tenure. But he is not going to be in-charge anymore. Although many believe that this time, the management may see a change, yet the outcome on August 12th, the day of counting would be eagerly awaited.