70-80% Muslims will vote for SP-Congress: Firangi Mahali

Excerpts form an interview with Sunni cleric Firangi Mahali to figure which way the Muslim vote could go:

On who the Muslims would have voted for
The Muslim community was in a state of quandary before the SPCongress alliance was formed — but not anymore. Now they have a clear leaning towards the alliance. Even before the pact was formed, Muslims liked the SP but with the Congress coming together, the affiliation has only increased. I expect 70-80% Muslims to go for the SP-Congress duo.

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On BSP-QED’s chances
Go beyond just the Muslim factor. Look at the youth factor. The electorate has 60-62% youth (19-39 year-olds) — who like Akhilesh and Rahul more than anyone else. The SP’s development work that have happened in the last two years only better its chances. People are aware that the BSP has thrice formed the government in alliance with the BJP. They know that in case of a hung assembly, the BSP and the BJP can come together. This thought is haunting the people.

On Sunni schools extending support to the BSP and Ulemas appealing to vote for it
Some of the Ulemas have held press conferences and appealed the people to look at the BSP. But this will have no impact on the UP polls. In the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, similar appeals were made. Such appeals do not have an effect on the election results.