"Hum Imam hai, kisi ka ghulam nahi," these were the words of Maulana Noor-ur-Rehman Barkati, Imam of the Kolkata's famous Tipu Sultan mosque after he was unceremoniously sacked from his post on Wednesday. Known for his proximity to chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress, Barkati blamed a section of the ruling party for conspiring against him. Many saw it as an attempt by the party to counter BJP which has been targeting Mamata Banerjee citing her proximity to the cleric. But despite his sudden tirade against the TMC leadership, Imam Barkati has pushed the ball in chief minister Mamata Banerjee's court. Also Watch:Also Read'No one has the guts to arrest me': Kolkata Imam Barkati defies red beacon ban

Source: India Today May 17, 2017 10:17 UTC