This will further consilidate Muslim base for Mamata Banerjee
new delhi : The Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, is likely to extend his support to Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
The announcement is likely to be made on Wednesday, when Banerjee is scheduled to hold a public meeting in the capital.
The Shahi Imam’s support is going to further consolidate the large Muslim following Banerjee has among a sizeable minority of voters in West Bengal.
It also assumes significance in the backdrop of disenchantment among the Muslims with the Samajwadi Party, following the communal riots in Muzzafarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.
Bukhari did not hide his displeasure at role of the Samajwadi Party-led government during and after the riots. The strong stance taken by the Shahi Imam has helped him revive his support among minority voters in Uttar Pradesh, political analysts said. Bukhari had supported the Samajwadi Party during the 2009 general elections. –Cogencies
