Former minister, Haji Yaqub is likely to become Muslim face of Rashtriya lok Dal (RlD) which is seeking support of Muslims ahead of next lok Sabha elections by launching an agitation demanding separate quota for backward sections of the community.
According to sources in RlD, the state unit will be constituting very soon a minority cell with party chief and union civil aviation minister, Ajit Singh appointing Haji Yaqub its first state president. Some minority leaders from other parties may also join RlD by next week who will be made office bearers in the minority cell.
Haji Yaqub have been switching over between parties and was a minister of state in previous Samajwadi party and Bahujan Samaj Party governments. In 2012 he had contested from Sardhana assembly seat of Meerut but lost the election.
With appointing Haji Yaqub as its minority cell, RlD has planned launching a strong agitation demanding 8.44 percent quota for backward Muslims. According to sources, the party would target Samajwadi party government for neglecting Muslims as SP leaders in previous assembly election had favoured separate quota for backward Muslims.
Haji Yaqub might be given to responsibility take on Akhilesh Yadav government by launching a 'vada nibhao' (fulfil the promises) campaign marked by organising a minority conference in state capital, the party sources said.
Meanwhile another Muslim leader and former RlD legislative party leader in state assembly, Kokab Hamid have returned in the party and was ready to play crucial role in organising Muslims ahead of upcoming lok Sabha polls. Hamid, after losing previous assembly election from Bagpat to a BSP candidate had left RlD admitting his differences with the party chief Ajit Singh.