Alleging a big conspiracy to divide Muslims, urban development minister Azam Khan appealed his community members to remain unite and prevent Bharatiya Janta Party’s (BJP) candidate Narendra Modi from becoming prime minister.
"A big conspiracy has been hatched to divide Muslims just to pave way for Narendra Modi tol form the next government (at the Centre)", alleged Azam Khan, known to be Muslim face of the Samajwadi Party. ``We all have to remain united," called Azam while addressing a conference of madarsa managers and principals here on Tuesday afternoon. He alleged that whenever SP formed government in the state, some "strong forces" hatched conspiracy to create disturbance with an aim to defame Samajwadi Party. Attacking the media once again for targeting him as he was a Muslim, Khan alleged that fourth estate always wants to keep the wounds of Muzaffarnagar riot fresh without allowing them to heal. Calling Modi "murderer", he said such a person could never become Prime Minister.
Citing Rajinder Sachar Committee recommendations, Khan said it had advocated reservation for Muslims stating that they need it more than Dalits. "The Centre should bring a Bill in this regard (Muslim reservation) and intentions of everyone will be cleared. We will see who protests against it. There is still time left and Congress should bring the Bill," he said.
On the SP government's attempt to withdraw terror cases against some Muslims, he said, "We wanted to withdraw cases against innocent Muslims lodged in jails, but media made such an atmosphere that government had to backtrack," he admitted contradicting the statement of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav who had earlier said that no efforts have been made by his government to withdraw any cases in connection with recent riots in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli.