Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), on Monday, hit out at political parties for needlessly bringing up the issue of holding Lok Sabha elections during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan.
After a leader of Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress opined that voting for the Lok Sabha elections will make it much difficult for those observing Ramzan to cast their vote, Owaisi said the same would make sure massive participation of the Muslim community.
“This whole controversy is totally uncalled for and unnecessary. I would request the political parties not to use the Muslim community and Ramzan for whatever reasons you have. One must understand that Ramzan will start in India around May 5 depending on Moon sighting.
In the country, the election process has to be completed by June 3. Hence, elections have to be there during the Ramzan. It is not possible to culminate elections by May 5,” the AIMIM chief told reporters.
The Hyderabad MP mentioned that Muslims, who fast during the holy month, never stop their regular schedule of work.
“Muslims will definitely fast in Ramzan and will keep doing their regular work during the fast. They go out and lead a normal life. They work and go to the office. My analysis is that this month which increases spiritualism in Muslims will lead to more voting percentage because I will be free from worldly duties,” he said, adding, “Throughout India wherever the elections are being held during Ramzan, Muslims will vote in higher percentage and will defeat the evil forces.”
According to the sources in the Election Commission, it is not possible to rule out a full month for Ramzan during the conduct of the national elections. “During Ramzan, polls are conducted as a full month cannot be excluded. However, the date of the main festival and Fridays are avoided for poll days,” the EC said.
Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also hit out at TMC over the Ramzan controversy and said the questions asked by political leaders show their rash behaviour. “Those who observe Ramzan have no issues but political leaders have. Holi is coming, Navratri is coming. Last year, Kairana bypolls happened during Ramzan. BJP lost that bypoll. Polls happen during festivals as well,” he said.
TMC leader and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim had previously raised questions on the “seven-phase Lok Sabha elections”. He said the lengthy schedule will be difficult for Muslims observing Ramzan in the states of Bihar, West Bengal and UP respectively.
On Sunday, the Election Commission announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections 2019. The dates are April 11, 18, 23, 29, and May 6, 12 and 19 and counting of votes will be done on May 23.
(Originally published by the Times now)