Don't vote for Asaduddin Owaisi's party: Bengal imams

The head of Bengal Imam Association, Mohammad Yahya has made a public appeal to voters in poll-bound West Bengal not to exercise their franchise in favour of any outfit backed by Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of AIMIM. “Every vote to them is a vote for BJP. Why does a Hyderabadi politician become active in states only where BJP faces tough opposition in winning elections?” he said last week.

Several senior clerics, civil society groups and youth forums have started cautioning people that radical minority political formations have no place in West Bengal.

Last week, clerics met under the leadership of Qari Fazlur Rahman, who said, “People are free to vote for anybody they want and we don’t want to influence that decision. But do remember, this time the vote will not only decide the future of the state but of millions of people staying here. There are forces that want to disturb the peace and drive a wedge among people, sowing seeds of hatred. Many people may be targeted for their religious beliefs. We must arrive at a consensus and vote responsibly.”