Madani statement on Modi raises BJP’s hopes

The BJP began to see “positive signs” among Muslim voters in the wake of prominent Muslim leader Maulana Mehmood Madani’s statement, asking the Congress and other “so-called” secular parties not to invoke Narendra Modi bogey to create fear among Muslim voters and woo them in a “negative manner.”

The BJP began to see “positive signs” among Muslim voters in the wake of prominent Muslim leader Maulana Mehmood Madani’s statement, asking the Congress and other “so-called” secular parties not to invoke Narendra Modi bogey to create fear among Muslim voters and woo them in a “negative manner.”

The party, which is looking forward to a new engagement with the minorities with appointment of Narendra Modi as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, read Madani’s statement as an expose on the Congress’ approach thus far.

Madani did not speak in favour of Modi but his statement came in the backdrop of efforts by BJP leaders to woo Muslim voters by distributing booklets about Modi’s track record in Gujarat despite the 2002 riots.

BJP vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “It does not matter what Madani has said or says. It is now clear as to how Congress has been exploiting people for votes. It has been scaring the voters to get their votes. But people have gradually realised this.”

He said people are now worried about price rise and corruption, which were the primary issues.

Madani, who heads the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind, attacked the Congress while speaking at a conference on the demand for reservations for Muslims in Jaipur.