Calling the Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid a "communal person",Congress leader Digvijay Singh today said that Muslims of Uttar Pradesh will not be misled by his appeal,in which has urged them to vote for Samajwadi Party candidates. "Bukhari was a communal person,who at one time supported Osama Bin Laden and in 2004 issued fatwa in favour of BJP," Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said. "Bukhari's worth can be estimated from the fact that his opponent has won from the area he lives in. Muslims of UP will not get misled by his appeal," Digvijay said while talking to the reporters. Holding Congress responsible for the poor state of Muslims,Maulana Ahmad Bukhari today appealed to Muslims to vote for SP candidates in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. In a joint press conference here with Mulayam Singh Yadav,he said "During several rounds of meetings with me,the SP chief has promised me that he will ensure justice to Muslims. On demolition of Babri mosque,Digvijay said that the then Prime Minister P V Narsimha Rao made a mistake by relying on the affidavit of Kalyan Singh. He alleged that Mulayam shook hands with Kalyan and gave a ministerial berth to his son. The Congress leader said that Azam Khan and Kalyan's son were ministers in the same cabinet. Referring to NRHM scam,the Congress leader said that Rs 8,500 crore was given to the state to improve condition of health department,but from this Rs 5,000 crore could not be traced. He alleged that five murders were executed so that big names involved in the scam could be concealed. UP election: Vote for SP,Shahi Imam tells Muslims Alleging the Congress was mainly responsible for the poor state of Muslims in the country,Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Maulana Ahmad Bukhari on Saturday appealed to Muslims to vote for Samajwadi Party candidates in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. In a joint press conference with Mulayam Singh Yadav,Bukhari said the SP chief had promised him that his party would work for betterment of Muslims in the event of its coming to power in the state. Therefore,Muslims should ensure victory of Samajwadi Party candidates,he said. During several rounds of meetings with me,the SP chief has promised me that he will ensure justice to Muslims. I appeal to the community and those with the secular mindset to ensure victory of SP nominees in the state Assembly elections, Bukhari said. He alleged the Congress was mainly responsible for the poor state of Muslims in the country. The Mayawati-led BSP had done nothing for Muslims,Bhukari said. To expect anything from the BJP for improving the lot of Muslims was a futile exercise,the Imam said. On his part,Mulayam said: I will try to prove myself worthy of the expectations of Muslims and Imam Saheb. On Mulayam shaking hands with former BJP leader Kalyan Singh,a leading light of the Ayodhya movement,Bukhari said the SP president had apologised for that. Therefore,we should forgive him, he said. On 4.5 per cent reservation for minorities,the Imam said: The move will lead to struggle in society and promote casteism. Bukhari said instead of religion,he favoured reservation to Muslims on the basis of backwardness. Quota should also be given to them on population basis,he said. The Imam said during the SP regime jobs were given to 14.6 per cent Muslims in police department. On support to the Centre,Mulayam said as the SP could not support the BJP,it had to support the Congress out of compulsion.
