Bedi blames Shahi Imam's 'fatwa' for loss in Delhi polls

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi on Wednesday blamed the 'fatwa' issued by Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari for her loss in the Delhi Assembly polls.

"I was told that I was leading in my Krishna Nagar constituency initially but then it started to drop because of an area where this 'fatwa' was issued. I want the Election Commission to conduct an inquiry into it," she said.

Bedi also urged the Election Commission to conduct an inquiry into the entire episode.

Bedi, who was the BJP's chief ministerial candidate for the Delhi polls, said 'fatwas' impact freedom of choice to vote.

"The 'fatwas' impact the freedom of choice to vote. 'Fatwa' means a diktat, it means a direction. Is it right? Shouldn't the Election Commission look into these last minute fatwas, orders and diktats? Are these things acceptable in a democratic process?" she asked.

Bukhari had earlier on Friday issued a 'fatwa' and appealed to the Muslims to support the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Delhi polls.

The AAP had, however, rejected Bukhari's pledge of support.

"AAP has nothing to do with Bukhari. We don't need the support of a man who did not invite India's Prime Minister but invited Pakistan's PM on his son's anointment. One has to respect the Prime Minister of the country," AAP leader Ashutosh had said.

The AAP made a spectacular comeback yesterday and won 67 seats in the 70-member Delhi Assembly. The remaining three seats were won by the BJP while the Congress failed to open its account this time.