Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid announces support for Congress in the Lok Sabha polls

NEW DELHI: Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari on Friday declared that he will support the Congress for Lok Sabha polls. "I support Congress on the condition that they will fulfil promises made towards Muslim Community," Bukhari said. "I have had detailed discussion with Sonia Gandhi," he added.

Stating that this is a 'crucial moment' in the nation's history, Bukhari said, "We must ensure that the secular vote is not divided." "It is time to make a correct decision," he said.

Bukhari went on to slam Mulayam Singh Yadav led Samajadi Party saying, "Voting for parties like SP and BSP would amount to a waste of our votes." " Samajwadi Party did not fulfill the promises it made to the Muslim voters," Bukhari said. "Samajwadi Party also failed to protect the interests of the Muslim electorate," he added.

Attacking Mayawati's BSP, Bukhari said, "BSP has proven that it can go with any party to be in power, so it cannot be trusted. We ill not offer support to them."

BJP has approached the Election Commission on Sonia Gandhi's meeting with Jama Masjid Shahi Imam to seek his help in ensuring that the community's votes did not get split, saying the step was a violation of the model code and demanded stern action.

BJP also alleged that such a meeting was aimed at polarising elections and could lead to communal flare-up.

"We are confident that the Election Commission will take serious note of these developments and initiate preventive steps such that their efforts, as always, to conduct free and fair elections are not frustrated by determined spoilers who are aiming at communal conflagration," BJP said in a memorandum to the Commission.

The CEC had earlier said that the EC will take cognisance of any complaint in this regard, but it had not got a complaint.

(With inputs from PTI)