Mumbai (The Hindu): Says Sena’s first Muslim corporator. Playing down the Shiv Sena’s anti-minority image, the city’s first Muslim Shiv Sena corporator called it “misinformation”.

“The Shiv Sena is not against Muslims. I am the living example that Muslims have started voting for this party,” Haji Mohammed Halim Khan, who won from Behrampada in Bandra by defeating his nearest rival, the Congress’s Kadri Mohammad Shariff, said. “The Congress used us for over 60 years as their private vote bank. They showed us a false picture of development and we trusted them. But where are we now? Look at Govandi, Behrampada or Mohammad Ali Road. No development and no hope for the future. I see the Shiv Sena as the only party that talks about development and delivers.”

Mr. Khan, who won by 371 votes, was inadvertently helped by AIMIM candidate Sheikh Shahid Hussein, who cut into Mr. Shariff’s votes by polling 3,248 votes

“I don’t think Muslims want AIMIM as their representative. It is a phase. Earlier, some thought the Samajwadi Party was for the Muslims, but they didn’t deliver on their promises. We [the Sena] will do so,” Mr. Khan, who claimed he could have contested on an SP or AIMIM ticket, said.

Mr. Khan said, “Who was in power in 1992? It was the Congress. Who targeted Muslims? The system. And it was run by the Congress Chief Minister. Had they taken a stronger stand then, the riots would not have happened. I don’t think the Sena can be blamed for anything.” He said it was Sena founder Bal Thackeray who built a mosque for Muslims after he saw them offering namaz on the road.