Modi Modified: CM out to woo Muslims
/ 0
- Politics
- Thursday, 31 May 2012 11:53
- Published on Thursday, 31 May 2012 15:54
- Hits: 777
Gujarat Global News Network, Gandhinagar
With assembly elections at the year end, Chief Minister Narendra Modi is a different man. On Wednesday, Modi told a gathering of BJP Muslim cadres in Gandhinagar that welfare of each and every citizen of the state is the real ‘rajdharma’.
The CM was out to prove that the minorities have seen all-round development in the state under his government. Modi read out statistics to prove how the Muslims in the state were on fast pace of development compared to what was the case earlier. The event of 2002 riots was very conveniently skipped from his speech.
Modi told the 200-odd gatheringthat recent local body electoral victories of the BJP suggest the Muslims had realized that things were changing for the better under his regime. "We made major inroads in one of the bastions a very senior Congress leader in Ankaleshwar taluka," he said, referring to a recent bypoll victory in the South Gujarat taluka, where from Sonia Gandhi's political advisor Ahmed Patel hails.
The CM, know to be fond of making large statistical claims, said “Muslims here have a per capita income of Rs875 against national average of Rs804. It is ahead of the states like Bengal and UP which have large Muslim population,” Modi said
He further said that “In Bharuch district today 25 per cent of all transport business is under Muslim control.” Reading out from a piece of paper handed over to him, he added, "Muslims have been the net gainers from 30 per cent of all real estate deals in district. And, 47 per cent of all non-agricultural (NA) permissions have been granted to Muslims in the district." Ankaleshwar is part of Bharuch district.
Asking Muslim BJP cadres to go to the minority areas and convince everyone that under him the minorities are "safe", Modi however made no assurance on whether he would give ticket to any Muslim at the forthcoming polls. Last time a Muslim was given BJP ticket was in the 1998 assembly elections by ex-CM Keshubhai Patel - to Ghani Kureshi to fight from Vagra in Bharuch district.
For news in Hindi see our Hindi daily Chaupal Chronicle
