Just hours after the campaigning for the first phase of Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh ended today, Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari surprised many by announcing support for Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Bukhari accused the Samajwadi Party and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of neglecting Muslims in the state while doing everything for Yadavs.

Assembly Elections 2017: Full Coverage

Blaming the Samajwadi Party for Muzaffarnagar and Dadri incidents, the Shahi Imam said that the state witnessed over 400 communal cofrontations during Akhilesh's rule.

"I met Mulayam several times on the issue of reservation to Muslims and Netaji brought the same to the notice of Akhilesh Yadav but he did nothing. Akhilesh didn't listen to his father. How can you rely on a person who has ill treated his father," Bukhari said.

While praising previous BSP regime under Mayawati, he said the Samajwadi Party failed miserably in controlling law and order situation in the state. "The BSP should be given a chance," the top religious leader added.

Bukhari also asserted that the Muslims were indispensable and they should unite and not rely on Congress and Samajwadi Party.

Voting in the first phase of Assembly election on 73 constituencies is scheduled to be held on February 11.

ALSO READ:

Uttar Pradesh Assembly election: Sonia Gandhi to campaign in Rae Bareli soon

Lalu claims he is a freelance politician, can go anywhere to root out BJP, RSS