By Faisal Fareed, Twocircles.net
Syed Waseem Rizvi, chairman, Shia Central Board of Waqf, has lashed out at prominent Shia cleric and Imam-e-Juma Maulana Kalbe Jawwad for issuing an appeal in favour of BSP. Rizvi termed Jawwad as a ‘religious thug’.
Rizvi who is said to be close to minister Azam Khan has also alleged that such maulanas receive a heavy sum from BJP for dividing Muslim votes.
Hours after the SP-Congress alliance was announced, Jawwad had criticised the alliance and issued an appeal in favour of BSP. “The appeal has been issued only to benefit BJP by dividing Muslim votes. Everybody knows that BSP has formed a government with the help of BJP thrice. Those clerics who are supporting BSP have received a heavy amount from BJP. This is an old tactic of BJP,” Rizvi said.
Rizvi also targeted Imam Bukhari claiming that during previous Delhi assembly polls he has issued an appeal in favour of AAP so that Muslims are divided and BJP votes get polarised. “It was good that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal identified and he refused the appeal from the Imam,” he said.
“Delhi’s Imam Bukhari and Lucknow Kalbe Jawwad are known for trading votes of Muslims with political parties by taking money. Muslims are very well aware of them. They have no political position. They are cheating Muslims in the garb of a religious cleric. People should be aware of them and use their own wisdom while exercising their franchise to defeat the communal forces,” he said.
Rizvi and Jawwad have a long history of acrimony. Jawwad had started agitation against Rizvi for misappropriation of waqf properties while Rizvi has lodged FIR against Jawwad for selling waqf property as the Mutawalli.