Imam of Nakhuda Masjid, Mohammed Shafique Qasmi, addresses mediapersons on Tuesday. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul) Imam of Nakhuda Masjid, Mohammed Shafique Qasmi, addresses mediapersons on Tuesday. (Source: Express photo by Partha Paul)

Days after estranged Trinamool leader Mukul Roy said that not all promises made to Muslims by the state government has been fulfilled, Mohammed Shafique Qasmi — Imam of Nakhuda Masjid — on Tuesday said there was little truth in the claims of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that over 90 per cent of work for minorities has been completed.

“It has been announced that over 90 per cent of works for Muslims have been completed but the ground reality is very different. I agree with Mukul Roy’s comments that a lot more needs to be done for minority community,” Qasmi said while speaking to empanelled candidates of School Service Commission (SSC), who had not been called for counselling for jobs.

Qasmi added that he had discussed the plight of such candidates with the CM but no concrete steps has been taken to address the issue. “I had written to her requesting her to meet the candidates and at least give them a hearing. Strangely, Muslim candidates are missing from the list of empanelled candidates for counselling,” he said.

Maintaining that Education Minister Partha Chatterjee too had been apprised of the matter, the religious leader added: “These candidates were on hunger strike for 85 days. The education minister had on two occasions asked them to lift the strike and assured action, but didn’t live up to his promises. We have lost trust in him as well.”

According to the SSC merit list, there were 2,644 Muslim candidates. Among them, 1,200 were of OBC-A category who had cleared the viva voce on August 25, 2013. On March 4, this year, 272 candidates were called for counselling. Out of them, only two were from OBC-A category.

“In the next counselling on March 12, no one from the OBC-A category has been called,” said Mohammed Farooque, a candidate.

Qasmi, known for his proximity to Mamata, also sent a note of warning for the Trinamool government. “These false promises have not gone down well with the Muslims. If this continues, it will definitely be reflected in the municipal elections next month and Assembly elections next year,” he added.

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