Imam Bukhari an agent of BJP: Azam Khan

Lucknow, July 11 (UNI) Senior Samajwadi Party leader and Uttar Pradesh Urban Development minister Mohammad Azam Khan today termed Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari as an 'agent' of the BJP and alleged that his recent political statements was an effort to divide the Muslim vote bank.

''The recent formation of United Democratic Front(UDF) by Maulana Bukhari was only an effort to help the fascist forces to gain power in UP,'' he alleged.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Khan said the Maulana should be more concerned about the religious matters at Jama Masjid for which he is being paid Rs 300 monthly rather than being active in politics.

''In the last general elections, the Maulana openly supported the BJP at the Centre and even shared dias with BJP leaders during their Bharat Uday Yatra,'' he said. The Maulana was given two petrol pumps and two LPG agencies by the former NDA government for supporting them, he further alleged.

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