March 29, 2024 17:31 (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
PM Modi to kickstart BJP's Lok Sabha poll campaign from Meerut | Kangana Ranaut in Mandi: 'Don't think I am a heroine, consider me as your sister and daughter' | Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav demand high-level probe into Mukhtar Ansari's death | PM Modi has mastered art of manipulating democracy, hurting Constitution: Mallikarjun Kharge | Mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari dies of cardiac arrest at 63
Shiv Sena, Owaisi flay Oppn parties for dragging Ramzan row into poll schedule

Shiv Sena, Owaisi flay Oppn parties for dragging Ramzan row into poll schedule

India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms | 11 Mar 2019, 11:09 am

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Some opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress and AAP, have flayed the Election Commission for not considering Ramzan month - a period of day long fast among Muslims - before announcing the poll schedule.

However, the stance of the opposition parties have come under attack by Shiv Sena and also All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi.

"Elections are important for the country. They are important and should get precedence before any religious celebration," Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut told reporters.

Speaking to TV news channels, Hyderabad MP Mr Owaisi said :“The whole controversy is uncalled for and unnecessary. I would earnestly request those political parties that please do not use the Muslim community and Ramzan for whatever reasons you have".

Earlier West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim expressed his displeasure over the EC’s decision to hold Lok Sabha 2019 elections in West Bengal, UP and Bihar in seven phases.

“Minority population in these three states is quite high. They will cast votes by observing Roza. EC should have kept this in mind.”

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan also told reporters that the EC decision to put poll dates on May 6, 12 and 19 - coinciding with Ramzan month would only help the BJP.

"The Muslim voters turnout will be less...It may even drop to about 50 per cent and especially among women," he said adding the BJP will benefit from lesser Muslim votes.

Meanwhile, EC sources said it was 'unfortunate' that such a controversy was being triggered.

"Some of us take this controversy with pain....polls are conducted as full month cannot be excluded. However, the dates of main festival and Fridays are avoided," a source said.

AIMIM leader Mr Owaisi pointed out that Muslims go about their normal lives even while fasting during Ramzan.

“Muslims will definitely fast in Ramzan. They go out and lead a normal life. They go to office. Even the poorest of the poor will also fast,” he said.

He further went onto say: “My analysis is that this month (Ramzan) will lead to more voting percentage because one will be free from all worldly duties and the mind will be more pious".

The holy month of Ramzan, during which Muslims hold fast, is expected to begin on May 5. 

Image: UNI

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Related Images
PM Modi in Bhutan 22 Mar 2024, 06:53 pm
PM Modi in Tamil Nadu 28 Feb 2024, 07:07 pm