BJP Minority morcha to correct the party image among Muslims

New Delhi, May 25 (UNI) The BJP Minority Morcha today said its activists would reach out to the Muslim masses to dispel 'wrong and distorted impressions' about the party.

BJP Minority Morcha President Shahnawaz Hussain told newspersons after constituting his team of office bearers and National Executive members that the Morcha activists would hold rallies in state capitals and small towns in the country to inform and educate the Muslims how they were taken by the political parties for a ride for the sake of their votes.

He alleged that the UPA parties were seeking to consolidate their own support base by demonising the BJP while their own 'grand schemes' for the minorities merely remained on paper and the Muslims remained helpless spectators. The BJP on the other hand wanted to improve the lot of Muslims not on the basis of religion but improving their purchasing power through education, employment and empowerment.

Asked how the Morcha proposed to deal with Gujarat, Mr Hussain said Gujarat had seen thousands of riots since Independence but focus was on one single riot only. The BJP government had given a 'riot free regime' barring one unfortunate riot. "I represent from Bhagalpur, which has witnessed India's 'worst communal riot' till date. If things can change for better here they can change in other parts too," he contended.

He said three years of UPA regime had done nothing to hold out the promises to garner their support based on religion. The BJP on the other hand empowered them through education and employment opportunities based on their economic backwardness. They got opportunity to study through Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (universal education) because of the economic standing and not because of their religion. The UPA without strengthening the Minorities Development Corporation was trying to weaken the credit system by asking the banks to treat Muslims on par with dalits in terms of lending but Muslims did not have untouchable castes.

The office bearers of Mr Nawaz's team include Dr Sheema Rizvi, MLC (UP), P J Thomas (Kerala), Mr Taj Mohammad ( Rajasthan) and Mr Kadar Bhai Salot (Gujarat) have been appointed as the Vice Presidents while Mr Abdul Rasheed Ansari will be the General Secretary, Mr Joseph Varikessary (Maharashtra), Mr Syed Gairul Hasan Rizvi (UP), Mr F S Layaq Ali (AP), Mr Shiekh Muneer (MP) are the Secretaries. Mr Mohammad Saleem will the Treasurer. The Executive includes BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Dr Najma Heptullah, Dr H T Sangliana all MPs. Former MP Arif Beg, former Rajasthan Minister Yunus Khan and Pasha Patel MLC are among the permanent invitees.

UNI