All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday rejected the contention of a top minister in the West Bengal government who said that it will be tough for Muslims to vote in seven-phases due to Ramzan.

Speaking to reporters, Owaisi, a Member of Parliament from Hyderabad, said that the entire controversy is uncalled and said that the Muslim community should not be used for “whatever reasons” the political parties have.

“This whole controversy is totally uncalled for and unnecessary. I would earnestly request those political parties that please don’t use the Muslim community and Ramzan for whatever reasons you have,” he said.

Earlier today, West Bengal minister Firhad Hakim expressed his displeasure over the EC’s decision to hold Lok Sabha 2019 elections in West Bengal, UP and Bihar in seven phases.

Hakim, who is also the Mayor of Kolkata, said, “Minority population in these three states is quite high. They’ll cast votes by observing ‘roza’. EC should’ve kept this in mind.”

Read More: TMC leader Firhad Hakim raises questions on holding 7-phase election during Ramzan

Reacting to Hakim’s remark, Owaisi pointed out that Muslims go about their normal lives even while fasting during Ramzan.

“Muslims will definitely fast in Ramzan. They go out and lead a normal life. They go to office. Even the poorest of the poor will also fast,” he said.

Owaisi observed that the month of Ramzan might lead to more voting from the Muslim community.

“My analysis is that this month (Ramzan) will lead to more voting percentage because one will be free from all worldly duties,” he added.

The holy month of Ramzan, during which Muslims hold rigorous fasting, is expected to begin on 5 May.

The ECI on Sunday evening announced that the elections to the 17th Lok Sabha will be held in seven phases from 11 April to 19 May. Counting will be held on 23 May.

At a press conference in New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said while elections in the majority of the states across the country would be held in a single phase, three states would witness elections in seven phases.

Polling in most of West Bengal’s 42 Lok Sabha constituencies will be held during the Ramzan month. In the Phase 5, which will be held on 6 May, elections will be held in 7 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. Eight seats will go to polls in Phase 6 on 12 May, while the highest, 9, will see polling in the last phase, 19 May.

The general elections are being held for 543 seats. The CEC said that the number of voters had risen to 90 crore from 81 crore in 2014.