Lucknow, Apr 12: Placated by Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Bukhari, who was embroiled in a spat with SP leader Azam Khan, today agreed to field his son-in-law in legislative council election, an offer he had turned down earlier.
Bukhari, who met Yadav at his residence in presence of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, told PTI that Samajwadi Party supremo has agreed to take two more Muslim ministers in the government and give legislative council ticket to a Muslim candidate, besides his son-in-law Omer Ali Khan, on the seat left vacant due to resignation of BSP supremo Mayawati.
“Yadav also assured us that he will give proper representation to Muslim officers in administration,” Bukhari said.
“I asked Mulayam that it was his duty to put forth views of Muslim community, which wanted better representation in the government. 80 per cent Muslims of the state voted for SP and the party should act for their cause,” he said, adding that he would not sit quiet on the issue of rights of the community.
Bukhari said that Mulayam assured him that he will not have to raise these issues again.
Asked whether the recent remarks of UP cabinet minister Azam Khan were raised during the meeting, Bukhari said that he does not “give importance to unnecessary thing”.
The Chief Minister said that there were no difference with Bukhari and is son-in-law will file nomination papers tomorrow.
The war of words between the SP leader and the cleric started after Bukhari rejected SP's offer of fielding his son-in-law to the state legislative council, insisting on two seats for the Muslim community.
Azam dared Bukhari to contest mayoral polls from Moradabad, saying if the cleric did not forfeit his deposits he would take retirement from active politics.
“Unka kaam namaaz padhana hai, wahi karein” (His work is lead prayers, and he should do only that), Azam had said.
