Rajnath's appeal to Muslim clerics reflects BJP's double standards, Cong says - Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Congress has accused BJP of double-standards, saying party chief Rajnath Singh is calling on Muslim clerics for support in Lucknow after petitioning the Election Commission over the visit of Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid to Sonia Gandhi's residence at 10, Janpath.

As new reports swirled about how the BJP president was knocking on the doors of clerics, Congress chief spokesman Ajay Maken said the Muslim religious heads have publicly stated that Singh was also making promises to them.

"This shows the duplicity of BJP. Singh is going to all the clerics. In Delhi, Shahi Imam himself came to meet Sonia Gandhi and BJP went to the EC leveling unspeakable charges against the Congress," Maken said.

He said Maulana Kalbe Jawad has publicly said Singh not only met him but also made promises of various kinds. "Is this not communalism?" he asked.

After meeting Sonia Gandhi ahead of voting in the national capital, the Shahi Imam had made a public appeal to the Muslim community to vote for the Congress. BJP went to the poll watchdog complaining against Sonia's meeting with the Imam and sought action.

Singh's visit to the Muslim clerics is significant as the BJP president is contesting from Lucknow, a constituency represented by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on many occasions.

After Vajpayee's retirement, Lalji Tandon won the seat narrowly in 2009, before making way for Rajanth Singh who contested the last polls from Ghaziabad.