Mumbai: The All India Ulema council, representing 20 Muslim organisations, has unanimously decided not to vote for the Congress and NCP in the forthcoming civic elections in the metropolis at a special meeting held here.

About 200 representatives of 20 Muslim organisations, under the aegis of the council, met yesterday headed by Maulana Mehmood Dhariabadi late last night and decided to keep away from voting for the two parties, a Muslim intellectual S B Shikooh who attended the meeting told sources.

Particpants at the meet said they will not mind voting for the Shiv Sena but will not vote for the ruling alliance.

Muslim organisations also showed interest in the newly formed 16-party third front led by the SP.

The SP is contesting 80 seats in the municipal elections including 35 Muslim candidates and 21 ladies.

Other major parties CPI and CPI(M) are contesting seven seats each.

The third front met at Chembur in northeast Mumbai today evening led by SP MP Abu Asim Azmi.

The SP spokesperson said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh, party general secretary Amar Singh and Mulayam's son Akilesh are likely to come to Mumbai to campaign for the elections.