Zameer Ahmed issues controversial statement on Muslims votes to BJP
Bengaluru, Feb 3: "In the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Muslims will not vote for BJP. In case if any Muslims voted to the BJP, they aren't the Muslims", said Minority Welfare, Hajj and Wakf Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan.
Inaugurating the National Awareness Convention, organised by the All India Jamiatul Massoor Karnataka (Nadaf, Pinjara, Mansoori and Dudekula communities), at the Palace grounds here on Sunday, he said that if Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister again, the secular Indians would have to live in fear. It was the wish of everyone not to repeat it. Muslims should not vote for BJP. They should give vote for secular parties, he added.
For the future of the country, forthcoming Lok Sabha elections were so important. So every Muslim should compulsorily cast his or her vote. This time, the Congress would win more than 20 seats as each LS constituency has more than 3 to 5 lakh Muslim voters, he said.
"We have elected Modi for a change in the country. But he has not fulfilled not even a single promise. He has created various problems like inequality, economic crisis and others. So we should not elect him again", he said.
The state has more than 85 lakh Muslims and more than 30 lakh were identified from Nadaf, Pinjara, Mansoori communities and the government would think of forming a separate Board, he said.
Uttar Pradesh former minister RA Usmani Mansoori, West Bengal MLA Mohiddin Shams, All India Jamiatul Mansoor Karnataka president Aman Kodagali Mansoori, working president KM Zameer Mansoori, general secretary Gous Pasha Mansoori and others were present.
Demands
* Establishment of Pinjara Development Corporation
* Issue Caste certificates
* Give political reservation
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
