Muslims supporting BJP, says Tanvir Ahmed

The Muslims in the country, were 'disenchanted' with the Congress and supporting BJP, chairman of Central Haj panel said.

The Muslims in the country, were 'disenchanted' with the Congress and supporting BJP in the current round of election in every state including Gujarat, chairman of the Central Haj Committee Tanvir Ahmed said on Thursday.

"The Muslims had a misconception about BJP which was created mainly due to wrong propaganda by the adversaries of the party. But it was proved wrong during the six-year rule of the Vajpayee government", Ahmed told newsmen.

HT Image

Ahmed, also a national executive member of BJP, claimed that he received good response from the muslims even in states like Gujarat where he held a series of meetings.

He said that the NDA government had increased the haj subsidy to Rs 200 crore from Rs 100 crore and haj pilgrims could now undertake their journey from 13 airports in the country.

The budget for the minority finance corporation had also been hiked, he said.

Ahmed, when asked, however,refused to comment on the apex court verdict on the best Bakery case. The inquiry was on and whoever found guilty would be punished. But this was not for the first that riots have taken place in the country. There were 24,000 communal riots during the Congress rule, he said.

He said that an organisation called Himayet Committee had been formed in which many Muslims intellectuals have joined and expressed support for Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The committee's next meeting would be held in Kolkata on April 24 in which the Imam of Tipu Sultan would participate, he said.