Firing a fresh salvo, Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan on Monday challenged the Sahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid to contest and win the election for the post of mayor from Moradabad.
Khan said if Syed Ahmad Bukhari did not forfeit his deposits, he will seek retirement from active politics.
"I challenge Bukhari to contest an election for the post of mayor from Moradabad and win it. If he does not forfeit his deposits, I will quit politics," Khan told reporters in reply to a question.
Coming down heavily on Bukhari, Khan said, "Unka kaam namaaz padhana hai, wahi karein" (His work is to lead prayers, and he should do only that).
"Hame sabi ki haisiyat ke bare me pata hai," (I am aware of the capability of everyone), Khan added.
The war of words between the SP leader and the cleric started after Bukhari rejected the SP's offer of fielding his son-in-law to the state legislative council, asking for three seats for the Muslim community instead.
Bukhari's son-in-law Umer Ali Khan was named party candidate for the legislative council.
Khan has said that the cleric has no standing among Muslims, and religious leaders should not enter politics.
On the issue of granting a seat to Bukhari's family member, the SP leader had said, "Religious leaders should not be given political gifts."