With an intention to occupy an influential position in Kerala politics outside the key formations-the LDF and the UDF?People?s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Abdul Nasser Madani, has indicated that he may chart an independent political course, with the only possibility of a tie-up with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
Madani, who had emerged as an important factor in Kerala politics until he was arrested nine years ago in connection with the Coimbatore bomb blasts, was on Wednesday acquitted of all charges in the case by the special court.
In his first press conference after his release from Coimbatore jail, Madani on Thursday made no bones about his political ambitions and said that in future he would work towards the unity of Dalits, minorities and other oppressed communities in the state. ?I was the first one who used the term Dalit in Kerala political sphere,? he told reporters at Thiruvananthapuram.
Though he did praise the CPI(M) and certain Congress leaders for their efforts to help him out of jail, he gave clear hints of his intent not to align with either of the two formations by contending that the PDP?s support to the LDF is not a long-term one. ?We would talk to parties, which stand for the cause of Dalits and oppressed with a long term agenda of forming a third front,? he said. His admiration of the BSP?s political strategy was apparent when he added that he was watching the developments in Uttar Pradesh, where Mayawati became the chief minister with her ?rainbow coalition? consisting upper castes, Dalits and Muslims.
The BSP, on its part, on Thursday welcomed Madani with a very ?warm note,? while blaming the LDF and UDF for the miseries Madani faced in Coimbatore jail. BSP leaders said it would take initiative for a dialogue with Madani on a possible alliance for next General Elections.
?Madani ?s decision not to restrict himself to Muslim politics is a welcome sign,? said BSP Kerala unit president Saji K Cheraman. ?We welcome his statement and we will take the initiative for future dialogues,? Saji told FE. He added that it?s just a matter of time for beginning the formal dialogues within both parties.
Though the BSP could win only 0.79% votes in the last Kerala Assembly elections, the party, as part of its programme to extend its base in South India, was working with the aim of 6% votes in the next General Elections. ?With the help of PDP we will prove that a different stand other than that of the LDF and UDF is possible in Kerala,? Saji said.