‘Now you vote for us’, Sushma tells AIUDF chief Ajmal in return for compliment on Jerusalem vote

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NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday returned AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal’s compliment for India voting in the UN General Assembly against the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying “vote for us”.

Sushma replied saying:

“Thank you Ajmal Sahib. Now you vote for us,” Sushma Swaraj tweeted late on Tuesday evening in response to Ajmal’s tweet.

After India on Thursday joined the UN majority in voting for a General Assembly resolution criticising US President Donald Trump’s decision to unilaterally declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move Washington’s embassy there, Ajmal, the perfume baron in Assam tweeted:

“Thanks Government of India for voting in the UN against US decision of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital,” said Ajmal, chief of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and Lok Sabha member from Assam’s Dhubri constituency.

However, Badruddin, who known for his strident anti-BJP rhetoric made his stance clear on Twitter. The Lok Sabha member from Assam’s Dhubri constituenc replied with a polite ‘no’. ” Our vote is always for India, Madam. The day BJP does not differentiate between Majority and Minority community, our vote will be for you”.

He further went on to clarify his statement by saying, ” I am grateful to the BJP for seeking our support but there is no question of supporting the BJP ever. The present situation has become so communally polarized. We can’t be party to a government like this.”

The resolution that was passed by a two-thirds majority demanded Washington comply with Security Council decisions against changing the status of Jerusalem and declared US and Israeli action on the city “null and void”. 108 countries voted for UN resolution Trump’s decision.

Agencies input