SP hasn't fulfilled poll promises made to Muslims: Bukhari

Lucknow, Feb 20: Delhi Jama Masjid Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari today attacked Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party, alleging that none of the poll promises made by it to the Muslims has been fulfilled by the government.

Bukhari charged the state government has "failed" to extend security to Muslims and the community will review the decision on extending support to the party if the promises remain unfulfilled.

"Samajwadi Party should fulfil all the promises made to Muslims in the last Assembly elections in three months time or they (the community) will be forced to review their decision on extending support to the ruling party," Bukhari said here.

Bukhari said SP should fulfil the promises including reservation in ratio to their population, make special arrangements for education in Muslim-dominated districts, recruitment in security forces and better employment opportunities.

"In the four years of SP government, communal forces have been emboldened and the atmosphere has been vitiated," he said. Bukhari said "the government needs to take concrete measures to maintain amity and prove that it believes in secular traditions and democratic values."

The Shahi Imam was here to take part in a discussion on the 'backwardness and neglect of UP Muslims'. Taking a jibe at senior SP leader Azam Khan, without naming him, Bukhari said "some of our own members have done injustice to Muslims." On the JNU row, he said it is a tussle between two ideologies and an "attempt to force" one on the other.

"The case is given political colour," he said, adding the matter is in court and its verdict will be acceptable to all.

PTI