Rajnath Singh does a Sonia Gandhi, meets top Shia clerics in Lucknow

BJP President and Lucknow canidate Rajnath Singh with Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq during a meeting in Lucknow on Monday. (PTI)

In an apparent attempt to garner support of Muslims ahead of Lok Sabha polls, BJP President and party nominee from Lucknow seat Rajnath Singh met prominent clerics of the community here.

Singh along with sitting MP Lalji Tandon and Mayor Dinesh Sharma last night met vice-president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Kalbe Sadiq and Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, Maulana Hameeudul Hassan, Maulana Yasoob Abbas and Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, party sources said.

Talking about the meet, Tandon today said, “These are courtesy meetings. Every candidate meets prominent people of different sections of society and seek their support.”

He claimed there was no political discussion at the meet during which the clerics discussed problems faced by the Muslims and emphasised on the need for special opportunity for the community in the field of education.

Maulana Farangi Mahali said the meeting was held in a good atmosphere during which discussions took place on the issues related to Muslims.

He said Singh had old relations with his father and had been visiting him even when he was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.