Gujarat: Muslims pledge support to BJP if 'convicted' are released

Ahmedabad, Nov 25: In a crucial move in the run up to the December 14 assembly elections to Muslim-stronghold Jamalpur Khadiya assembly segment, some Muslim voters on Saturday said that they would "unconditionally vote" for the BJP nominee Bhushan Bhatt if the ruling dispensation assured to take up the issue of unprecedented "long imprisonment" of a number of 'convicted' individuals.

"In a major ruling on October 10, 2002, the Supreme Court had ruled that those in jail for more than 20 years even if convicted and jailed on charge of murder can be released. From Jamalpur-Khadia area, we still have eight of them cooling their heels. If BJP assures to work for their early release, I assure you a large number of Muslims in this constituency will vote for BJP," Shakil Ahmed, brother of convicted Liyakat Hussain here. His views were readily endorsed by a number of senior citizens in the constituency -- including traders and retired government servants -- who had gathered to discuss social issues and also draw "political strategy" for the elections. "I agree to what Shakilbhai is saying. These eight-nine people were jailed after being convicted, but there is a court ruling -- that says the state authorities can review the files of such convicts who are already behind bars for more than 20 years. These people were first taken into custody in August 1992. If BJP says it will work for their release, we assure our support to Bhushan Bhatt", Abdul bhai Ibrahim, a trader, said. The Jamalpur-Khadiya assembly constituency came into existence after 2008 delimitation after merging erstwhile Jamalpur and Khadiya seats. With around 1.97 lakh voters, the assembly constituency is Muslim-dominated with about 60 per cent Muslim voters. Hence the minority community is aware of their importance electorally.
"Bhushan Bhatt son of former BJP leader Ashok Bhatt won in 2012. He can again win but this time with a bigger margin and with the support of Muslim voters -- provided they agree to work for the community," said Ahmed. In a choking voice, he said, "My brother Liaqat Hussain -- now about 62 -- was arrested in 1992. This is 2017. So he is away from us for last 25 years. We want him back in our life, before it is too late".
The battered Muslims -- who have survived through the holocaust of 2002 mayhem -- are resting their argument on the Supreme Court order that gives power of "remission" to the President of India and state Governors under provisions of Articles 72 and 161. 
The apex court has held that there is no discretion for States to release life convicts for whom it is specified they should suffer imprisonment for not less than 20 to 25 years.
The court also had clarified in a later judgement that such remissions may not be applied to the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Mr Ahmed said. BJP leaders say that five years back the party could pick up an essentially Muslim-predominant Jamalpur-Khadiya seat in Ahmedabad and -- ostensibly this was "not possible without Muslim votes". BJP sources said initially BJP was toying with the idea proposing to field a Muslim candidate in Jamalpur-Khadia and reportedly also considered the candidature of AI Sayed. But ultimately, for 2012 polls, ticket was given to Bhushan Bhatt, son of Late senior BJP leader Ashok Bhatt and the saffron party did win the the seat wherein total electorate was 1.8 lakhs and out of that one lakh were Muslims. UNI