Azam attacks Rahul Gandhi for not focusing on Muslim welfare

RAMPUR: Attacking Rahul Gandhi, UP Minister Azam Khan has said that instead of effectively addressing the issue of Muslim backwardness, the Congress leader was focusing on the welfare of the homosexual community.

Criticising the Congress Vice-President, the SP leader yesterday told reporters that Gandhi did not offer any help to the riot victims staying in the Muzaffarnagar relief camps.

He claimed that maximum number of communal riots had occurred during the Congress regime and "it was Muslims who suffered maximum devastation". On the Communal Violence Bill, Khan said, "had Congress been sincere to combat communalism, the Bill could have been passed much earlier".

He slammed the Congress-led UPA government on the issue of granting reservations to Jats, saying "Conditions of Muslims is more pathetic in comparison to even Dalits."

Asserting that he was not against reservation for Jats, he said, "Muslims are members of the largest minority community who deserve and need reservations. Those facing worst economic adversities should be given preference."