Minority affairs minister hits out at Kejriwal

Kejriwal drew massive criticism from both his opponents and some of his supporters after he met the cleric in Bareilly.

Minority affairs minister K Rehman Khan lashed out at Arvind Kejriwal for what he called his brand of opportunistic politics and said the meeting between him and Bareilly cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza was a sign of the AAP leaders desperation to make some dent in the Congress vote bank.

It is intriguing how people who have built their brand on opposing the politics of caste and religion and have,at times,criticised the Congress for its policy of Muslim appeasement are now walking the same path. Why this reeks even more of opportunism is that from the beginning of Kejriwals political career,he has never,at any stage,talked about Muslims…, Khan said.

Kejriwal drew massive criticism from both his opponents and some of his supporters after he met the cleric in Bareilly. Kejriwals defence was that it was not a planned meeting but a chance one,which happened when he had gone to pray in the dargah there.

Story continues below this ad

This was also the first foray of the AAP into a pre-electoral handshake of sorts with a Muslim religious leader,a community that Kejriwal and his colleagues have been accused of having neglected right from the days of the Lokpal agitation.

Khan said,From the very beginning,he has never included Muslims. Now when he realises that despite his best efforts,he has not attracted as many BJP voters as he would have loved to,he is trying to break Muslims away from the Congress. This is a sign that he is feeling his own weakness. His sole effect in the Delhi elections will be to cut into BJP votes; traditional Congress voters will not be swayed.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

India5 hr ago

Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

View all shorts

Live Blog