New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI) In a major boost to BJP ahead of third phase of polling on Monday, influential Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid today said Muslims should give a chance to BJP as "so-called secular parties like Congress and Samajwadi Party have only given false promises to the minority community and exploited it emotionally".

Syed Ahmed Bukhari told PTI that BJP had recently displayed its wish to come closer to Muslims and "we should not have a negative approach but vote with positive thinking." The recent statements by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani reflect a change in BJP's tone and attitude towards Muslims, he said.

"Muslims today are dejected with all so-called secular parties which have only given us false promises, treated us as bonded labourers over last 50 years and rendered us insignificant," the Shahi Imam said, knowing well his "bitter truth" will not be well taken by "vested interests".

Accusing Congress and SP of spreading "hatred" between Hindus and Muslims and "keeping BJP away from the minority community", he said "their masks of secularism need to be removed.



Admitting BJP had not done anything for Muslims but "given Gujarat riots" during its six-year rule, the Shahi Imam said "but Congress has been responsible for 36,000 Gujarats (riots) during last 50 years." "However, while top BJP leaders have condemned Gujarat riots as a blot on the nation and apologised for Babri Masjid demolition, no such statement has come from Congress so far," Syed Bukhari said.

On Ayodhya issue, he said while BJP earlier used to emphasise on constructing Ram Temple, today it is ready to resolve it through court or dialogue.

The Imam said BJP had realised the country's progress was not possible without involvement of 25 crore Muslims and the minority community also wanted to join the mainstream.

"We also want to see the country shining as is being projected by BJP," he said.

Asking Muslims to vote with "reason and not get emotionally carried away" while exercising their franchise, he said his view was in the interest of his community.

He said Muslims were citizens of the country and any problems they face can be solved internally.