Leading Muslim bodies today demanded that UP CM Mulayam Singh Yadav make his stand clear on Wakf Minister Shakir Ali’s reported remarks alleging that certain community leaders were touts. ‘‘The CM should come clean on the Minister’s statement as it has sent a wrong signal among the Muslims and tainted the image of not only himself but also his party, AIMPLB spokesman Qasim Rasool Illyas said. On Thursday, Ali had reportedly made ‘‘defamatory’’ remarks against the Board and Zafaryab Jilani. Ali reportedly referred to Jilani, also the convenor of the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC), as a ‘‘blackmailer’’ and a ‘‘tout’’. However, Ali denied making any such statement and said he was referring to irregularities in issues concerning Wakf properties. Jilani has served a legal notice to Ali threatening criminal proceedings against him for making defamatory statements against him, the Board and BMAC.
