By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: A Muslim name which is taken seriously in Uttar Pradesh these days is Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari. After two successful rounds Imam Bukhari is now taken seriously in political circles of UP.
Bukhari’s rising importance has taken its toll as his bete noire senior cabinet minister Azam Khan now remains mum on any query related to Imam Bukhari.
The Bukhari saga started during assembly elections in the state. Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav shared stage with Imam Bukhari while the latter announced his support to the party. Bukhari’s son in law Umar Ali Khan was also fielded by SP from Behat in Saharanpur.
Party’s senior leader Azam Khan openly decried the step by Mulayam. Eventually Umar Ali Khan lost his election. Soon after elections came the time for Rajya Sabha nomination. Azam prevailed as his close aide Munawwar Saleem was preferred over Bukhari’s brother Yahya Bukhari.
All these were things of the past. Suddenly Bukhari’s graph started soaring in party circles. His son-in-law Umar Ali Khan was nominated for MLC seat. Azam once again revolted. But it was overlooked as 13 MLAs including some ministers met Bukhari at Delhi and extended their support. Bukhari descended to Lucknow and announced in presence of CM Akhilesh Yadav that not only Umar but another vacant seat will also go to a Muslim. This was done while Azam kept on his opposition.
The battle of supremacy was once again witnessed when Waseem Ahmed Khan, a relative of Bukhari was appointed on the important post as Chairman, UP Pollution Control Board. The post comes with state minister rank and a red beacon. Azam read the writing on the wall and now kept mum.
Meanwhile Bukhari kept on playing with full throttle. He openly announced that more representation has to be given to Muslims in administration. He vouched for posting of more Muslim officials in the field. The remarks earned him applause though they may not materialise.
Now these days, Azam never utters a word when Bukhari’s name is spelled. To his close aides he shares his note of dissent but not in public.
Political experts see a larger strategy in the whole game. Bukhari is not a politician. He may not be able to catch votes for the party. Still he is given importance by SP top leadership including Mulayam Singh Yadav.
The reason is simple. Bukhari is being pumped enough so that he can be projected as anti Azam force with Muslim MLAs and ministers rallying behind him. In this way Azam Khan can be kept in check while Akhilesh rules.
For how long it will continue only time will tell. But presently Bukhari means business in UP politics.