LUCKNOW, India: With the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh due in 2007, Indian Shia scholar Maulana Kalbe Jawwad has announced his new political party, the People's Democratic Front (PDF).

Talking to journalists here, President of the Front Maulana Jawwad said: "The PDF has been launched with a view to enabling the Muslims to share power on the basis of their distinct electoral strength."

He said PDF would be fielding its candidates in the next assembly elections in the state as there are 147 constituencies in UP where Muslims can ensure victory of their candidates.

He said the decision to form a separate political outfit was arrived at a meeting of various smaller Muslim outfits like Muslim Majlis, All India Muslim Forum, Parcham Party of India, Indian League and Momin Conference.

Jawwad said the doors of PDF were open to other Muslim outfits also.

The Maulana charged political parties with treating Muslims as "slaves" and alleged they "failed" to ensure that members of the community enjoyed their legitimate rights.

Political parties have always seen Muslims as an important vote bank, but since the last two decades, Muslims have drifted away from national parties. They now support regional parties such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party.