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Muslims leaders & the BJP in Gujarat
March 8, 2004 | Comments Off on Muslims leaders & the BJP in Gujarat
The Telegraph (India) reports that “The BJP is working on a propaganda coup by trying to rope in a section of Muslim leaders from Gujarat.” Some of the prominent Muslims in Gujarat are trying to come to some kind of arrangements with the BJP for various reasons, and the BJP is exploiting the situation to the fullest extent. Excerpts:
Disenchantment with secular parties, including the Congress, is being cited as the main reason behind the possible shift. But an Opposition leader pointed out that relatives of some in the BJP queue have terror law cases against them, suggesting the use of a carrot-and-stick policy.
Sources said some like Afzal — who was harassed and arrested on trumped-up charges of misappropriating money while he was in charge of a riot relief camp — could simply be buying peace with the BJP and a way out of their troubles. ….
… If the minority leaders eventually join the BJP, it will suit the party fine in the run-up to the general elections even if it did not make a great difference in terms of votes. The symbolic significance could be used to wash off the stain of the riots, one of the few blotches on its “Shining” face that it cannot explain away.
State BJP chief Rajendrasinh Rana confirmed he had been getting feelers from prominent Muslims wanting to join the party. The party had worked hard to shed its “communal” image and change the perception of the Muslims, he said.
Muslims leaders & the BJP in Gujarat …
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