By TCN Special Correspondent
Quotes:
Bukhari: I am not dying for any post and I have raised issues related to Muslims only. I still stand for upliftment of Muslims.
Azam Khan: Bukhari should not further undermine the status of a religious head and should remain inside his Jama Masjid and if he wants to do social service them he should think of municipal elections
in Delhi.
Munawwar Saleem, MP: Allah should give sense to Bukhari. I do not want the name like him. I am a leader in my own right and it could be verified for the past 30 years.
Lucknow: The war of words between Cabinet Minister Azam Khan and Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari spilled over on Saturday.
With both of them engaged in slinging mud at each other and in public, the outcome seems to be evident. One of the self proclaimed Muslim messiah has to bite the dust.
The genesis of the vicious diatribe started on January 28, 2012 when Bukhari publicly announced support to Mulayam and his Samajwadi Party (SP) in the elections. Bukhari’s son-in-law Umar Ali Khan contested on SP ticket from Behat seat in Sahranpur. Though he lost the election and finished third.
The war of words had started with Azam Khan ridiculing Bukhari’s support as unwanted and urged him to confine to religious works. Bukhari responded that he has issued appeal to support Mulayam for better Muslim representation and on the reservation issue. He even branded that Azam is selfish and does not want other Muslims to rise in politics.
Azam Khan addressing a campaign meeting in Etah
SP won the elections, however Bukhari’s son-in-law Umar Ali Khan lost the election. Azam too won the election. SP formed the government on March 15, 2012. Bukhari was present during the swearing in ceremony. Soon came the nominations for Rajya Sabha. If pary insiders are to be believed Bukhari wanted his family member (son-in-law or brother Yahiya Bukhari) to be nominated. This allegation s denied by Bukhari. “It is all rubbish, I never said anything and never demanded,” said Bukhari. SP nominated Munawwar Saleem, a known Azam loyalist to Rajya Sabha as the muslim candidate.
Bukhari wrote his first letter to Mulayam on March 26. He questioned the nomination of Darshan Singh Yadva to Rajya Sabha citing his past when he was in BJP and Congress. Without naming anyone, Bukhari raised finger over the allotment of Minority Welfare Department to Azam Khan. Things did not go beyond decency and were buried.
Again came the moment for nomination to MLC and a lone Rajya Sabha seat. Bukhari’s son-in-law Umar Ali Khan was in the list for MLC. But Azam now openly objected. “What is the contribution of Bukhari in party? He should concentrate on Delhi and for municipal election. Bukhari has failed to live upto expectations,” said Azam. Bukhari also retorted back and soon it was free for all with media getting enough fodder for their day.
Now the ball rests with Mulayam.
The possible ending to the story can be that Bukhari accepting the MLC seat for his son-in-law Umar and Mulayam also inducts him in the ministry. It will leave Azam red faced. So one of them is bound to be humiliated as all limits have been crossed during this war of words and claim of Muslim leadership.