To win friends, CM eyes influential Muslims

AHMEDABAD: Even as Narendra Modi calls himself "a born Hindu and a nationalist", the BJP minority cell is planning to organize meetings between him and influential Muslims in main cities of the country before the 2014 elections.
Mohammed Irfan Ahmad, national vice-president of BJP's Minority Morcha, said, "Influential Muslims and local community leaders will be brought face-to-face with Modiji.The gatherings will be small to allow open interaction between the leader and members of our community."
National president of the Morcha Rasheed Ansari adds, "There are misconceptions in the Muslim community about Modi and even about the BJP. Such meetings will help in doing away with misinformation and give an opportunity for an honest discussion."
Asked who would be invited to these meetings, Ansari said, "There are no vote-catchers in the community today, but there are definitely opinion-makers who are intelligent and successful. We will reach out to them."
The plan has evoked mixed reactions from the community. Member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Khaleed Rasheed Firangi Mahali told TOI, "Modi has still not clarified his stand on 2002 riots.
Also, the BJP is yet to make its stand clear on issues like Babri Mosque, Uniform Civil Code and the Article 370. It has to come out clean before it reaches out to Muslims."
"I will not go to any such meeting even if invited," adds Mahali, who is also the imam of Lucknow's largest Idgah at Aishbagh.
On the other hand, former critic of Modi, Zafar Sareshwala says, "I have always believed that honest discussion is the best way to solve any issue. This is a good step by the BJP if it is backed by a genuine desire to reach out to the minorities."