MUMBAI: Muslim clerics, representing Sunni sects like Deobandis, Barelvis and Ahle Hadees, have given the NCP-Congress combine in the state an ultimatum. The ulemas have said if the alliance does not field at least five candidates from the community, they would start a campaign against UPA candidates.

The ulemas passed a resolution to this effect at a meeting, attended by over 50 imams from the city and heads of faith-based Muslim organisations, on Saturday.

"We have got just one candidate representing the community, that too an 80-plus A R Antulay from Raigad, whose chances of winning might be slim due to his controversial remarks on Hemant Karkare's death,'' said Maulana Athar Ali, head of the All India Ulema Association. He added that Muslims were better off during the Shiv Sena-Congress rule in Maharashtra.

"The Congress doesn't want to empower Muslims. It talks about empowering the minorities. It's first test is how it empowers Muslim within the party,'' said Maulana Syed Khalid Ashraf, president, All India Ulema Council.

The strategy adopted by Dalit leaders, specially Mayawati in UP, seems to be a model for the maulvis. "For years, Dalit leaders kept losing elections. But now, they are dictating the terms. We too will have to reinvent our strategy,'' said activist Meraj Siddiqui.