2 major parties are polarising society, says Azam

In a disguised reference to BJP and Congress, Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan said today that two major parties are polarisation the society and want to take the country back to 1992 era once again.

'Two major parties of the country are trying to disturb social atmosphere through polarisation and want to take it back to 1992 era once again,' Azam told reporters here without taking name of the parties.

The minority affairs minister said that both the parties would not benefit from this.

The minister also expressed remorse over inadequate selection of candidates from minority community in state level civil services during the last two decades.

In a statement issued here, Azam said that during this period, 'dozens of minority candidates achieved required marks in the written examination but majority of them were not selected in the interview.'

'This was the reason that officers, who were expert in issues related to the minorities and take interest in it, are not available for postings in minority welfare department and associated organisations,' the minister said.

Azam said that reservation apart, non-selection of the candidates of the community, despite achieving high merit in the written examination for higher services, was a 'serious matter and there was a need to correct the situation immediately'.

Once the situation improves, then only minorities would get proper representation in the administration and in government, and their participation in development works would increase.

The minister also condemned the attack on Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's cavalcade in Hyderabad and said that it was 'unfortunate and it will create an adverse effect on the mutual relations between two states'.

He said that those responsible for such incidents should not be spared.