Lucknow:
Placated by Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Bukhari, who was embroiled in a spat with SP leader Azam Khan, today agreed to field his son-in-law in the legislative council election, an offer he had turned down earlier.
Bukhari, who met Yadav at his residence in presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, told PTI that the Samajwadi Party supremo has agreed to induct two more Muslim ministers in the government and give a legislative council ticket to a Muslim candidate - besides his son-in-law Omer Ali Khan - on the seat left vacant due to the resignation of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati.
"Yadav also assured us that he will give proper representation to Muslim officers in the administration," Bukhari said.
"I told Mulayam that it was his duty to put forth the views of the Muslim community, which wanted better representation in the government. 80 per cent Muslims of the state voted for the SP and the party should act for their cause," he said, adding that he would not sit quiet on the issue of rights of the community.
Bukhari said that Mulayam assured him that he would not have to raise these issues again.
Asked whether the recent remarks of UP cabinet minister Azam Khan were raised during the meeting, Bukhari said that he does not "give importance to unnecessary things".
The Chief Minister said that there were no difference with Bukhari and his son-in-law will file nomination papers tomorrow.
The war of words between the Azam Khan and the cleric started after the latter rejected the SP's offer of fielding his son-in-law for the state legislative council, insisting instead on two seats for the Muslim community.
The SP leader dared Bukhari to contest the mayoral polls from Moradabad, saying that if the cleric did not forfeit his deposits he would take retirement from active politics.
"Unka kaam namaaz padhana hai, wahi karein" (His work is to lead prayers, and he should do just that), Azam Khan had said.