What controversy? AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi blasts critics over Lok Sabha polls- Ramzan date clash

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday slammed political parties for criticising Election Commission for scheduling poll dates during Ramzan. Owaisi said, “ This whole controversy is totally uncalled for and unnecessary. I would earnestly request those political parties that please don't use the Muslim community and Ramzan for whatever reasons you have.”

He further added that the 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. My analysis is that this month (Ramzan) will lead to more voting percentage because one will be free from all worldly duties,” Owaisi said.

Earlier, Firhad Hakim, the Mayor of Kolkata and a Minister in Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government, questioned the rationale behind holding Lok Sabha elections in seven phases in West Bengal.

Expressing his displeasure over the EC’s decision, Hakim, said that the seven-phase election will make it difficult for Muslims to vote as they will be observing Ramzan at the time. “Election Commission is a constitutional body and we respect them. We don’t want to say anything against them. But the seven-phase election will be tough for people in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal,” Hakim said.

He said that the ECI should have kept the religious obligation of the Muslim population in the three states in mind before deciding to hold elections in seven phases. “Minority population in these three states is quite high. They’ll cast votes by observing ‘roza’. EC should’ve kept this in mind,” he said.