Thaindian News

Bhopal, April 29 (IANS) Skipping the convention of not commenting on politics or endorsing politicians, the prestigious Darul-Uloom Islamic seminary’s vice chancellor Friday praised Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal and hoped his party would do well in the state polls.

Terming Ajmal his “friend”, Maulana Mohammad Ghulam Vastanvi said he is very “happy” on Ajmal having a good chance in the Assam assembly polls.

“He and his family has been involved since generations in the social works in Assam, so in return he deserves good support in elections too,” Vastanvi, who is here to attend a private function, told IANS.

“I hope that what Maulana Ajmal is expecting, that he would get around 20 seats in assembly would be fulfilled. I am personally very happy about his chances,” he added.

Assembly elections in Assam were held April 4, 11. The results will be declared May 13.

Vastanvi, who had stirred controversy after his “praise” for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Friday said the condition of education for minorities in Gujrat is not in good shape.

“In education for minorities, Maharashtra and Karnataka are much better than Gujarat, where the condition of minority education is very poor,” Vastanvi told reporters.

Following the controversy over the Modi remarks, Vastanvi’s resignation as the Deoband seminary chief was sought.

However, the Majlis-e-Shoora, the seminary’s highest decision making body, in a crucial meeting Feb 23 decided to let him continue in the post till a three-member subcommittee of clerics constituted then takes a final call on his future. No timeframe has been fixed for the subcommittee to submit its report, but it had been asked to complete the task as early as possible.

Speaking about his future, Vastanvi said:” Till then Majlis-e-Shoora wants me to continue, I will and when they would tell me to quit, I will resign.”