The angry Imam of Jama Masjid (Delhi) Maulana Ahmad Bukhari questioned as to why did the Samajwadi Party not field any Muslim candidate for Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad saying that the love of the ruling party towards the minority seems farce.
"Muslims have always voted for the Samajwadi Party. Hence they (Muslims) should get their due through representation in the Rajya Sabha and legislative Council," Bukhari told a select group of journalists after meeting SP national president Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in lucknow on Thursday.
The Imam said that by not sending any Muslim to the Rajya Sabha and legislative Council, the SP government has sent a wrong signal among the Muslims.
"The party has repeated a non-serious Muslim candidate for the legislative Council seat. This would put the government and the SP in a negative shade," Maulana said without taking the name of Bukkal Nawab, who has been repeated for the Council.
Maulana Bukhari said that the Samajwadi Party can still mend its decision 'as Muslim support for the party would be crucial in the 2017 polls'.
In the meeting which lasted for around an hour at the residence of Mulayam Singh Yadav, the Maulana said that the state government has failed to protect Muslims and they had to bear the brunt in clashes like in Ghaziabad and other places.
"Even the riot affected people in Muzaffarnagar are yet to receive compensation from the state government," said Bukhari.
"The SP government has failed to protect the life and property of Muslims. Besides it did not give reservation to the community in jobs, as promised earlier. The government has also not protected the innocent youths, who were arrested on false cases of terrorism. I have asked Netaji and the CM to collect details on the benefits given to the Muslims during this regime and implement pending decisions," said the Maulana.
Bukhari said that his suggestions will only benefit the SP in the coming elections. "If the party leadership implements its promise, the Muslims will support Mulayam otherwise they will oppose him," said the Imam.
Maulana Bukhari enjoys a love hate relation with SP leadership. On February 20 last, when he met Mulayam, he had put the state government on a three-month notice. He had alleged that not a single promise made by the SP during the 2012 Assembly polls has been fulfilled it its four year rule.
Bukhari also submitted an 18-point charter of demand to the CM on the welfare of Muslims in the state.
"I raised some issue and the response was encouraging. The SP chief and his Chief Minister son have assured that they will fulfill the promises made to the community ahead of the 2012 polls which includes reservation and other issues like Urdu medium schools and jobs in security forces," said Bukhari.