Jagan urges Muslims to pray for development of AP

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has greeted Muslims marking the occasion of Ramzan festival and offered special prayers at an Iftar programme hosted by the state government at a mini-stadium in Vidyadharapuram area here on Monday.

The chief minister, in his address, called upon Muslims to pray for development of Andhra Pradesh and wished all the people well with blessings from God the Almighty. He also wished that the prayers of Muslims be heard. The chief minister wore a traditional cap and shawl and offered namaz along with his Muslim brethren.

Deputy chief minister Amjad Basha lauded the chief minister saying he was striving hard for the welfare of all the denizens including the minorities. “The minorities in the state are availing several welfare schemes in an unprecedented manner, thanks to CM Jagan. He has provided reservation to the minorities, fee-reimbursement in educational institutions to pursue studies and even political empowerment to Muslims.”

Basha said under Jagan, AP was the only state that provided huge funds for the welfare of minorities. He said Jagan cared for Muslims. “I was made  deputy chief minister while a Muslim woman functioned as the deputy chairperson of the Legislative Council. This apart, four MLC seats have been given to Muslim brethren by the CM.

Several MLAs, MLCs, leaders, officials and a large number of Muslim elders took part in the Iftar programme.