The Rajasthan zone of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has taken strong exception to Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani finding “communal overtones” in the Union Budget for 2008 and accused him of using the meagre allocations for minorities as a fodder for his hate campaign.
Mr. Advani had said, “I am surprised at the heavy communal overtones of the budget. It is a throwback to the Liaqat Ali days, the consequences of which are well-known.”
Jamaat State president Muhammad Salim said Mr. Advani’s rhetoric trying to connect the Budget 2008 with the pre-partition politics smacked of his communal mindset that refuses to see the need for bringing minorities to the mainstream of development.
“Liaqat Ali Khan, secretary of the Muslim League and his political beliefs and activities as a member of the United Provinces Legislative Council in 1930s and later the Central Legislative Assembly have no relevance whatsoever to the present era in independent India,” said Mr. Salim.