Bukhari asks SP: Why no Muslim candidate in RS, Legislative Council list

Lucknow: The Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Maulana Ahmad Bukhari on Thursday met Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and asked them as to why no Muslim candidate was included in the party's list for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council polls.

"I have expressed my displeasure for not including Muslim candidates for Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council in the party list. At least there should be one Muslim in SP's Rajya Sabha list to represent the community. The party supremo has not made any promise in this regard," Bukhari said.

The Samajwadi Party recently announced the list of its RS candidates which included Amar Singh, Beni Prasad Verma, but no Muslim candidate.

In an apparent reference to giving ticket to Amar Singh, Bukhari said, "I have said that a person repeated in the Rajya Sabha list in not liked by anyone."

During the meeting, Bukhari "reminded" the SP leader of their promises like reservation for Muslims, speedy trial of Muslims sent to jail on terrorism charges, opening of Urdu medium schools in minority areas and recruitment of Muslims in police force.

He also raised the issue of communal clash in Azamgarh, saying if the administration had acted timely, it would have been averted.

Bukhari said Mulayam directed the Chief Minister to list works done for the community and complete if anything is left to be done.