BJP's Kausar Jahan takes Delhi Haj Committee chair from AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) suffered a big blow in Delhi as the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Kausar Jahan was elected chairperson of the Delhi Haj Committee. Kausar became the second woman elected to the top position after the former Delhi Congress chief Tajdar Babar. Reportedly, the votes of BJP MPs Gautam Gambhir and Muslim Theologist Mohammad Saad were decisive in Jahan's victory.
Why does this story matter?
Jahan's appointment comes just a month after a squabble erupted between the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena over the inclusion of a Congress councilor on the Haj Committee by Saxena. This sparked a stern response from the AAP, which contended that the BJP and Congress had a nexus. The Haj committee organizes Islamic pilgrimages to Mecca every year.
Jahan got 3 out of 5 votes; Congress member abstained
In the election held in the Delhi Secretariat, Jahan earned three of the five votes given by committee members. The group is made up of six people: two from the AAP and two from the BJP, Muslim theology specialist Mohammad Saad, and Congress councilor Nazia Danish. Gambhir was one of the committee members that voted for Jahan, whereas Danish abstained from voting.
Jahan's victory shows trust of Muslims in party: BJP's leader
While congratulating Jahan, Delhi BJP working president Virendra Sachdeva said her victory shows the growing trust of Muslims in the party. "The victory of the BJP-affiliated candidate in the Delhi Haj Committee makes it clear that now the Muslim community is also eager to join the country's development stream Shri @narendramodi," he tweeted in Hindi.
CM Kejriwal had expressed displeasure over pick and choose
Earlier, CM Kejriwal objected to L-G's order nominating Haj Committee members by circumventing the Delhi government. He contended that the term "administrator" appeared in almost every statute and regulation. Kejriwal stated that L-G is obligated to take help and advice from the Council of Ministers under the DMC Act. In response, L-G House said it comes under the purview of the Union List.
VIP Haj quota abolished recently
The Haj committee coordinates the pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca every year. Recently, the Centre made multiple changes to the Haj process and also abolished the VIP Haj quota, saying these seats will be available to common people. The privilege was earlier allocated to the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, the union minority affairs ministers as well as members of the Haj committee.
