Date:29/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/29/stories/2006032905701200.htm

National

Imam urges Muslims not to vote for Congress

Sushanta Talukdar

Guwahati: The Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari, on Monday appealed to Muslims in Assam to vote against the Congress in the Assembly polls.

Maulana Bukhari, touring the State to campaign for Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) candidates, alleged that there was no difference between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Muslims had become victims of riots when the Congress was in power for 46 years. He pointed out that Nelli, Kokrajhar, Mumbai, Surat and Bhagalpur riots happened during the Congress rule.

Describing the recent amendment to the Foreigners (Tribunal) Order 1964 as an "election gimmick" by the Congress, he said any foreigner who came to Assam after the agreed cut-off date of March 25, 1971 must be detected and deported irrespective of whether he was a Hindu or a Muslim.

Muslims were observing the formation of the AUDF and would replicate this new model or front if it succeeded in the Assam polls. "The country will get a new direction from the outcome of the Assam Assembly elections and the success of the AUDF, a front not only of Muslims but a common platform of the oppressed sections."