Poll Dates Clash With Ramzan: Owaisi Calls It ‘Unnecessary’ Debate
Many on Twitter alleged that Lok Sabha poll dates clashing with Ramzan was a “conspiracy”.
Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam
Video Producer: Fabeha Syed
The Election Commission of India on Sunday, 10 March, announced the election dates for the 17th Lok Sabha polls which have been divided into seven phases. Polling will begin from 11 April and the results will be declared on 23 May.
As the EC made the announcement, a few Twitter users pointed out that the election dates coincide with the month of Ramzan, which is expected to begin from 5 May and ends on 4 June.
Users raised concerns that the last three phases of polling are being held in a majority of north Indian states or the Hindi belt.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Amanatullah Khan levelled allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said that this will directly benefit them.
Kolkata Mayor and TMC leader Firhad Hakim also raised the issue and said that the elections will cause inconvenience to the people in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, alleging a “conspiracy” to stop voters.
Owaisi Says Controversy Uncalled For
Reacting to the barrage of tweets and reactions, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi told news agency ANI that the whole controversy is “unnecessary” and “uncalled for”. He also requested the political parties to not use the Muslim community and Ramzan for “whatever reasons,” adding that the Muslims will vote on the given election dates.
Speaking to CNN-News18, Union Minister VK Singh also said that the EC is not to be blamed for as the month of Ramzan keeps changing and that the polling dates were not chosen deliberately.
‘We Will Walk to Booth and Vote’
Meanwhile, Twitter users said that nothing will stop them from voting during the Lok Sabha elections.
(With inputs from ANI and CNN-News18)
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