Delhi goes to the polls

Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, stoked a major controversy by appealing Muslims to vote for AAP . The party , however, rejected the offer saying it was against “caste and communal politics“.
In his appeal, Bukhari urged people to help AAP to form an “honest and secular“ government in Delhi while accusing BJP of extending support to elements who are trying to divide the society.
“The country is facing the grave dangers of communalism and Muslims are the target of such forces,“ Bukhari said in a statement. Distancing itself from the offer of support, a senior AAP functionary said: “AAP condemns and rejects the support of Shahi Imam. Our party is against any type of caste and communal politics.“
However, a key aide of Bukhari claimed AAP had sought his support. Bukhari had triggered a controversy in October last year by inviting Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif but not PM Narendra Modi to the anointment ceremony of his son.
Party spokesperson Ashutosh added: “ AAP needs support of the common people of India and will keep striving for it.“
Without naming any party , AAP members alleged that certain forces had been trying to “polarize“ voters ahead of the elections. “A man who represents regressive politics, the communal side of politics is offering support to a party that is fighting the elections for the common man and is setting a new benchmark in politics.This is a blatant attempt to polarize the voters,“ added Ashutosh. Muslims account for over 11% of Delhi's nearly 17 million population. In the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls in 2014, Bukhari had called upon Muslims to vote for Congress.