Muslim #1 speaks (TINA Congress)

In his speech Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari has uttered a most significant comment: “If we had our own party, we would not have been in such a bad
situation. Other communities like Akali and Yadavs have their own
parties,” he said.

In one sense it is ridiculous, Congress is the party of muslims in the true sense that Congress cant win without the votes of Dalits and Muslims. Apart from that there are plenty of muslim parties; IUML in Kerala, MIM in Hyderabad, AUDF in Axom. But they are separated by great distances and egos. Muslims in India are not united against a common menace. It is certainly true that there is no muslim party that is strong enough. But why is that?


Population wise muslim votes will never overwhelm any significant part of the country. And for that they should blame the two-nation theory and their compatriots in Pakistan and Bangladesh. If India had remained un-divided the muslim population of SAsia would have been perpetual favorites to be rulers or being a dominant partner of any ruling coalition. IMHO if  the founding fathers of Pakistan had been prepared to play the long game, the entire country would have become Pakistan one-day. But that was not to be and it is Bukhari’s fate to collaborate with the lesser evil and make lame statements about “strengthening secularism”.


….
Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari today declared his
support to Congress saying it will “strengthen” secularism and termed
communalism as “bigger threat” to the country than corruption.


Considered an influential religious leader, Bukhari appealed to Muslims
to support Congress and ensure that secular votes are not divided, days
after his meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi sparked a row.
He also announced supporting Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and Congress ally RJD in Bihar.


On supporting TMC, he said Mamata Banerjee has already made it clear
that she will not join NDA and that is why he will back her.
“Her role will be crucial in forming government at Centre. I appeal to West Bengal voters to support Mamata Banerjee,” he said.


“If we had our own party, we would not have been in such a bad
situation. Other communities like Akali and Yadavs have their own
parties,” he said.


Attacking Samajwadi Party, he accused it of betraying the Muslims by not
fulfilling its promises. “It is also responsible for Muzaffarnagar
riots.”
He termed BSP as an “opportunistic party” and said supporting regional outfits will be a “waste of vote”.

….
regards .

Brown Pundits