UP Elections 2022: All you need to know about NDA's first Muslim candidate since 2014

Haider Ali Khan, BJP ally Apna Dal’s candidate from Swar Assembly seat, is the National Democratic Alliance’s first Muslim nominee for Uttar Pradesh elections 2022.

Hailing from the royal family of Rampur, Khan was earlier named in the Congress’ list of candidates, but jumped ship recently and will now be contesting on an Apna Dal ticket.

Speaking to media Haider Ali Khan said the notion that the NDA doesn’t work for Muslims is misguided and wrong.

The switch has set political circles abuzz since his father Nawaz Kazim Ali Khan is still with the Congress and is the grand old party’s candidate from Rampur Assembly seat. Haider’s grandfather has also been a Congress MP.

The announcement came despite no official word on seat-sharing arrangement between the BJP and its alliance partners - Apna Dal of Anupriya Patel and Nishad party of Sanjay Nishad.

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