Now,SP offers ministers post for Bukhari son-in-law

He urged Bukhari to accept the MLC seat for his son-in-law.

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A day after Shahi Imam of Delhis Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari rejected the Samajwadi Partys offer to field his son-in-law in the Legislative Council elections,SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday attempted to placate him by offering two berths for Muslims in the Legislative Council. He also offered a ministerial berth for Bukharis son-in-law Umar Ali Khan.

Mulayam reportedly called up Bukhari thrice to settle the matter related to Muslim representation in the Legislative Council. He urged Bukhari to accept the MLC seat for his son-in-law. Later,Mulayam also tried to persuade Bukhari by offering another MLC seat to a Muslim candidate besides inducting Umar Ali Khan as a minister. However,it failed to move Bukhari.

Sources claimed that Mulayam will personally meet Bukhari at the latters residence in Delhi on Sunday.

Bukhari had on Friday rejected the MLC nomination for his son-in-law following comments by Cabinet minister Azam Khan. The Shahi Imam,who had announced support to the SP during the recent elections,even wrote a letter to Mulayam questioning his commitment towards Muslims.

Bukhari stated that the SP has failed to provide proportionate representation to Muslims and it reflected in the nominations for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council. He also attacked Azam Khan,saying the SP relied too much on him by assigning him the minority welfare ministry. Azam too advised Bukhari to stay confined to Jama Masjid.

The Shahi Imam shrugged off the ministerial berth offer to his son-in-law,stating that most of the ministries for Muslim welfare have been handed over to Azam Khan. What will we do with a ministerial berth,just roam around with red beacon when all the departments for Muslim welfare have been handed over to Azam Khan, said Bukhari.

The tussle between Azam and Bukhari is well known. When Bukhari announced his support to Mulayam on January 28 at a function in Lucknow,Azam had launched a scathing attack on Bukhari advising him to stay out of politics. Bukhari retaliated stating that Azam was a fit case for a mental asylum.