New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) Muslim leader Syed Ahmed Bukhari Friday announced his support for the Congress and its allies as well as Trinamool Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha election. BJP termed it a "communal stance" and asked the poll panel to take cognizance.
"I had a detailed discussion with (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi on various issues related to Muslims. I announce my support for the Congress for the general elections," Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi, told reporters.
He said that it is not a diktat but an appeal to Muslims to vote for the Congress.
The Shahi Imam asked Muslims to vote for the Trinamool Congress too.
"In Bengal, the Trinamool Congress has done work for Muslims. It can be hoped that Mamata Banerjee will protect Muslims," he added.
"We will support all allies of the Congress including the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal)," he added.
"I have complaints against Congress, but that doesn't mean we will vote for people who want to divide the country," he added.
Bukhari accused the Samajwadi Party of Mulayam Singh Yadav of betraying Muslims.
"Voting for the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will be a waste," he added.
"Nation faces danger from communal forces. We should ensure secular votes are not divided," he added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) meanwhile slammed the stance taken by Bukhari, accusing Congress of communalising the election.
"The Shahi Imam has kept changing stand every election. They have chosen a communal stance," said party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.
"This just shows desperation of the Congress. They are trying to communalise the election and the Election Commission must take cognizance of this communal appeal," he said.
Gorakhpur: Fifth accused in Manish murder case arrested, sub-inspector Vijay Yadav still absconding
Another accused policeman of the Kanpur businessman Manish Gupta murder case was arrested. Head c
Kolkata Knight Riders made a spectacular entry in the final of IPL 2024. KKR entered the IPL fina
Southwest Monsoon has covered almost the entire country ahead of time. Monsoon will reach most pa
Indian women's cricket team won the second match against England in Canterbury by 88 runs. With t
Impact of 'Amfan': Damage expected in two states, heavy rains in eight states
Cyclone Amfan will hit the Digha coast of West Bengal between noon and evening on Wednesday, chan
This old photo of Ramayan's Laxman went viral, fans watching the handsome look
Mumbai. These days, Doordarshan has brought an old era for its audience in the difficult time of
Obama, Michelle arrive Sunday, to visit Agra (Second Lead)
New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) US President Barack Obama will arrive in India Jan 25 along with his w
Ukraine crisis: what is NATO and why doesn't Russia trust it?
Russia's invasion of Ukraine posed the biggest challenge to NATO in its 73-year history.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for Russia. Special pictures emerged from Kazan before the
GDP growth slows to 11-year low of 4.2 percent in 2019-20
New Delhi: India's GDP growth rate during the last financial year i.e. 2019-20 has been the lowes
