Bukhari never supported Congress, says Jaiswal

Kanpur, Jan 29 (ANI): Union Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal has said that senior Muslim cleric Syed Imam Bukhari never supported the Congress Party here today.

Jaiswal asserted that his party has never expected nor asked for any support from Bukhari.

"His (Bukhari) state is such that the last time he gave his support to BJP, so now you cannot really have faith on such leaders. He calls himself secular, but he gave his support to the BJP and Maulana Bukhari has never supported the Congress nor has the Congress ever asked for his support," said Jaiswal.

Earlier, on Saturday, Bukhari had criticised the Congress Party for the plight of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh.

He added that his party's vote bank would not be affected despite opposition from several leaders including yoga guru Baba Ramdev.

"This will not affect anyone's votes, basically those who don't have a vote bank. What does Baba Ramdev specialise in? Baba Ramdev is a yoga guru, he teaches yoga, but if he starts teaching politics, then doesn't the public know that he has reaped gold because of yoga and now he wants to teach politics," added Jaiswal.

According to media reports, Bukhari rejected the Congress party's proposal to provide a sub-quota of 4.5 percent to Muslims, adding that reservation must be done on the basis of population.

Voting in India's most populous Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases starting from February 8 and finishing on March 3.

Four other states - Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Goa-will hold elections between January 28 and March 3. Meanwhile, elections in Manipur have already been held on January 28.

The results of the polls will be declared on March 6. (ANI)