Muslims have faith on those having ability to defeat BJP: Asim Waqar after joining Congress

New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) Former All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Syed Asim Waqar, who joined the Congress, said that Muslims have faith on all those who possess the ability to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in elections.

Speaking to IANS on Wednesday after joining the Congress, Waqar said: “Muslims have faith in everyone who has the ability to take on and defeat the BJP. I believe that across India, if there is anyone who wants to defeat the BJP the most, it is Muslims…I am also a Muslim, and I have the same inclination to defeat the BJP. I stand with whoever appears strong.”

On being asked about the ongoing debate surrounding reservation, he stressed that those who deserve and are in need of reservation, should get it.

“Every caste and religion that is deserving of reservation should get it. Those who cannot manage without reservation should get it. If I cannot afford food and am dying of hunger, if my children cannot study, if I do not have a house, clothes or shoes, then I expect that I should get reservation,” he said.

Syed Asim Waqar also noted that he has been vouching for the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to become the next Prime Minister, even while being in the AIMIM.

“For the past five years, I have been saying that Rahul Gandhi is the country’s future Prime Minister… I considered Rahul Gandhi the country’s future Prime Minister even when I was in AIMIM. Questions were raised over this. I fought for Congress despite being in the AIMIM at that time. I stand with the country, and I want the country to have a good Prime Minister, and that is Rahul Gandhi,” he asserted.

Earlier on Wednesday, Waqar joined the Congress at the party headquarters in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Congress In-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, State Congress President Ajay Rai, and Congress Minority Department Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi.

Welcoming him into the Congress, Pratapgarhi told IANS: “We welcome Asim Waqar ji to the Congress family. He is an articulate spokesperson. His joining will strengthen the voices of secular forces.”

Ajay Rai echoed, saying: “We welcome him (Syed Asim Waqar) and extend our greetings to him. He puts forward his views strongly. He trusted Rahul Gandhi and has joined us.”

–IANS

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