Cong downplays Sonia's meeting with Bukhari

Congress today downplayed the support extended to it by Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari, saying the party never appeals to people to vote on religious lines.
Against the backdrop of BJP approaching the Election Commission alleging that the meeting between the Shahi Imam and Sonia Gandhi could polarise elections, the party said the Congress chief meets leaders and prominent personalities who call on her.
"Congress' stand on minorities remains what it was before the meeting (with the Shahi Imam). Minorities require to be part of the democratic process....They should also share the fruits of development. The Sachar committee and the Minority Affairs ministry were set up with that in mind," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters here.

He said "unlike Narendra Modi and BJP", Congress never appeals to people to vote on religious lines.
He said besides Gandhi, the Imam had met leaders of various other political parties.
The spokesperson said the party always welcomes people who believe in secularism and propagate the ideas of pluralism, tolerance and brotherhood.

A party leader, who declined to be identified, said the Shahi Imam had supported BJP ahead of the 2004 elections. "He has even supported our rival Trinamool Congress," the leader said.
The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid had earlier today declared his support to Congress, saying it will "strengthen" secularism and termed communalism as "bigger threat" to the country rather than corruption.

Considered an influential religious leader, Bukhari appealed to Muslims to support Congress and ensure that secular votes are not divided.
He also announced supporting Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and Congress ally RJD in Bihar.
"For the coming Lok Sabha elections, I announce support for Congress. We have to fight unitedly against communal forces," he said at a press conference here.
Bukhari said though the Muslim community has grievances against Congress, but still a decision to support the party was taken as the "country cannot be allowed to go to the communal forces".