Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari has declared his support to Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections and appealed to the minority community to ensure that secular votes are not divided. He also announced his support to Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and Congress ally RJD in Bihar.

Announcing this at a press conference in New Delhi today Bukhari, who is considered as an influential religious leader, claimed that the future of the minority community is secure in the hands of these parties. He said the country is facing the danger from communal forces and they are working day in and day out to break it. Imam also alleged that regional parties like Samajwadi Party and BSP in Uttar Pradesh have failed to live upto the expectations of the community. He said casting votes in favour of regional parties amounts to wasting of votes.

Replying to a question over corruption charges against Congress led UPA government, Bukhari said that communalism is a bigger threat for the country compared to corruption.

He also said though the minority community has grievances against Congress, the decision to support the party was taken as the country cannot be allowed to go in to the hands of communal forces.

Bukhari's announcement came days after his meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi which sparked a row as BJP accused the party of communalising politics .

AIR correspondent reports that Bukhari is known to change his political alignment with different parties as earlier he had also extended support to SP, BSP and BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee.