Delhi Imam lauds Modi, reminds him of 'Sab ka sath, sab ka vikas'

Muslim leaders seem to be warming up to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after its emphatic victory in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Imam of historic Shahi Jama Masjid of Delhi Syed Ahmed Bukhari, on Wednesday, reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, lauding him for his electoral success.

In a letter addressed to the PM, he said that the results of UP elections have depicted a clear mandate to Modi by the people with the hope to usher in a new era of economic progress. This is in variance to the statements of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), who have blamed it on 'polarisation' and 'tampering of electronic voting machines' respectively.

He, however, expressed concern that following the results, Muslims in the state are living in a "dire state of fear and dread". He asked the PM to intervene and create an environment of confidence and trust. He also reminded Modi that after elections he had said that the governments are made by majority but run through consensus. The Imam also expected that the BJP's slogan 'Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas' shall reflect in the governance in UP.

"I also hope that the government at the Centre and UP shall, while preserving the common culture and civilization and the communal unity, play an important role in delivering security, education, employment and justice to the millions of Indian people," he added.