Lok Sabha Elections 2019: ‘Uncalled and unnecessary,’ says Owaisi on controversy over polling during Ramzan

After Election Commission on Sunday announced Lok Sabha elections dates, it irked controversy over it clashing with Ramzan. The Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee has questioned the Election Commission’s decision on the poll date. Kolkata Mayor and TMC leader Firhad Hakim said seven-phase election in the states will be tough for the people observing Ramzan. Reacting to it AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called it 'uncalled and unnecessary.'

"This whole controversy is totally uncalled for & unnecessary. I would earnestly request those political parties that please don't use the Muslim community & Ramzan for whatever reasons you have," said Asaduddin Owaisi.

"Muslims will definitely fast in Ramzan, they go out & lead a normal life, they go to the 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 added.

The national polls will be held in 7 phases and Ramzan is from May 5 to June 4. The Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee has questioned the Election Commission’s decision on the poll date. In West Bengal, where polling will be held in seven phases, nearly 31 per cent Muslim voters will become a key issue of Bengal politics.

“EC has announced the poll dates on Ramzan so that minorities are unable to cast their votes. But I would like to tell them (the BJP) that the people of Bengal are with (Trinamool chief) Mamata Banerjee,” Kolkata Mayor and TMC leader Firhad Hakim said.

However, this is not the first time that the Trinamool Congress is raising the issue of Ramzan with the election dates. West Bengal Congress president Somendra Nath Mitra also agreed with the issue and said poll panel should consider it. “We have a large number of Muslim voters and the EC should consider the poll dates as per the Ramzan observance,” Mitra said.

Meanwhile, reacting to the chaos, BJP’s all-India secretary, minority morcha, Arshad Alam, said, “It’s not written anywhere in Islam that one has to take rest in air-conditioned rooms while fasting during Ramzan. For us, Ramzan means ‘Ibadat’ under any circumstances.”

West Bengal has never witnessed a seven-phase election. The longest election was the 2016 assembly polls spread over six phases. The Trinamool Congress banks heavily on the Muslim votes in the state.

Also, read: Lok Sabha 2019: 7 phase national poll dates clashes with Ramzan; sparks controversy