SP appoints Bukhari candidate as pollution board chief

Asked about Khan’s background,party spokesman Rajendra Choudhary said,“To my knowledge,he doesn’t hold any post in the party. I have no information about his background.”

The appointment was made two days ago and Khan took charge on Wednesday,but there has been no official announcement yet.

Imam Bukhari confirmed that he was behind the appointment. “It is true that I recommended Waseem for the post. He came to me and I found him to be genuine. Being a Muslim I recommended his name. I will even recommend more such names of Muslims in future. It is my commitment with the party and they have agreed to it,” he said when contacted on the phone.

Sources said Bukhari arrived in Lucknow two days ago and stayed at the VVIP guest house. He contacted the CM’s office,informed them about the purpose of his visit and asked that Khan be appointed promptly. In no time,the government complied,the sources said.

“It is true that I had visited Lucknow two days ago and it was only for two hours. There was some urgent work and I was engaged in that and could not contact the media,” Bukhari said about his visit.

Meera,private secretary to the board chairman,said Khan joined on Wednesday. “But we do not know much about him. He has not even given his phone number. He only said he would be coming to office on Friday,” said Meera.

The reaction of Minority Affairs Minister Azam Khan,who is known to dislike the Imam’s meddling in the party and government,was not available.

In April,Azam Khan had kicked up dust a when the SP nominated Bukhari’s son-in-law Umar Ali Khan as its candidate for Legislative Council elections.

The UP Pollution Control Board provides environmental clearance to industrial projects in the state. Former Chief Minister Mayawati had appointed Anil Kumar Mishra,a relative of party general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra,as board chairman in 2007. The post had been vacant for two months. Officials said that about 300 files relating to various industrial units are pending for clearance with the board.