Continuing his attack on Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi Maulana Ahmed Bukhari, Uttar Pradesh urban development and minority affairs minister Mohamad Azam Khan today said Shahi Imam was in Lucknow just to confirm legislative council ticket for his son-in-law.
“The Imam has misused the name of the Muslim community just to make sure that his son-in-law and other family members get council and Rajya Sabha tickets,” he alleged.
The Minister, who has locked horns with Maulana Bukhari, however, said that since Bukhari had agreed to accept the
council ticket to his son-in-law Umar Khan but his fate would be at stake if there was an elections as he would be
the eighth candidate of the party which was short of eight votes to win the last seat.
“It is unfortunate that Bukhari had to accept the eighth seat of the SP and could be a loser in the
elections,” he commented sarcastically.
Talking to mediapersons, Mr Khan said if the Imam had come to meet Mulayam Singh Yadav for religious purpose
then no one should have any objection but interfering in political matters shows the vested interest of a cleric.
The Minister also objected to the statement of Bukhari alleging that he was behind the agitation against the Imam
in the state. “If there is any support for the Maulana, then people could have protested against the burning of
the effigy of the Imam at several places in the state,” he said reiterating that he had nothing to do with the
agitation against Bukhari.
