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Shahi Imam declares support for Congress, TMC
New Delhi, Apr 4 (IBNS): Days after his meeting with Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi, Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari on Friday announced his support for the party.
"I am announcing that in the Lok Sabha 2014 elections, we will support the Congress party. We hope that it will fulfill the promises it made," Bukhari said at a press conference here.
He also urged the Muslim voters in West Bengal to support Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) party.
"I appeal to the voters of West Bengal that they should vote for Mamata Banerjee's party. The TMC's role will be very important in the formation of the government in Delhi," he said.
Being one of the most prominent Muslim leaders in the country, he said, "The nation is in danger from communal forces. We should ensure secular votes are not divided."
Hitting out at the Samajwadi Party, he said the SP did not fulfill the promises it made to the Muslims.
"During UP election, we had promised to support Mulayam Singh Yadav but during the Muzaffarnagar riots, these political parties supported those forces which triggered the riots. Even the Supreme Court has also said riots happened due to lapses of the UP government. The SP has failed to protect Muslims," Bukhari said.
The Shahi Imam also urged the voters to not vote for the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
He said more "Communalism " is the biggest issue in the country.
Reacting on Bukhari's support to the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "This is a shameless attempt by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to polarise voters. The Election Commission should take cognizance of this."
Sonia Gandhi earlier met Bukhari at her residence to reportedly appeal to Muslims that they must not let their votes split in Lok Sabha elections.
According to reports, the meeting lasted for 45 minutes, during which Bukhari apprised her of various issues pertaining to the community.
Support from an influential leader like Bukhari can boost up Congress's appeal to the Muslim voters.
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