BJP posers on boycott-NaMo call
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 01 2014 : Claiming that certain Muslim organisa-tions declaring that the upcom- ing State visit of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi would be boycotted do not have the mandate of the Muslim community but is the stand of some 'hired indivi-duals' instigated by vested agency, BJP State unit pre-sident Th Chaoba said the boycott call testifies attempt to add communal tone to Modi's day-long sojourn.

Reacting against the boycott call at a media briefing held today at the Nityaipat Chuthek office of BJP Mani-pur Pradesh, Chaoba sugges- ted that the people of Manipur introspect which political organisation instigated the 'hired individuals' to boycott Modi's visit on February 8, during which the BJP leader is sche-duled to address a public rally.

As reported a meeting to discuss 'political situation' of the Manipuri Muslims held recently at Classic Hotel under the joint initiative of Jamiat-ul-Ulema Manipur and Muslim Social Workers' Union, Manipur had decided to boycott Modi's visit.

State BJP leaders and volunteers

Decision taken at the Classic Hotel session, which was attended by an MP-designated person is not only con- fusing the general public but also lacked mandate of the Muslim population, noted the former MP reiterating that a handful of individuals were instigated to adopt the stand.

Asserting that with the ex-ception of Modi and the BJP no other political party is concerned with the interest of the Muslims, Chaoba also pointed out that in other States where there are substantial presence of Muslim population Modi's visit has never been boycotted.

In Gujarat, where Narendra Modi is the Chief Minister, overall economic conditions of the Muslim people are far better than their counterparts in Congress-ruled States, maintained Chaoba further adding that whenever Modi visits Muslim-dominated areas the locals throng meeting venues he is supposed to address.

Joining the media briefing, BJP member Abdul Salam, who had contested the last Assembly election in Mayang Imphal AC, opined that the 'hired individuals' resolving to boycott Modi's visit is unwarranted and amounts to unauthorised persons acting belligerently.

Stating that the boycott call also corroborates Congress organisation misleading the party leaders and tantamount to maligning image of the entire Muslim population of Manipur, Abdul Salam exuded confidence that under narendra Modi's leadership there would be tremendous positive changes in the country.

Dismissing the boycott call, he also affirmed that many Muslim people would be attending Modi's public address.

Speaking at the occasion, State unit BJP Minority Morcha president Nazir terming the boycott call as decisions of some unscrupulous elements strongly suggested that no hindrances should be caused to the Muslim people who support Modi or the BJP.

Other Muslim members of BJP, present at the media briefing stated that BJP is committed to uplifting socio-economic position of the Muslim people.

Cautioning that the Ulema taking partial decision for the sake of some financial benefits would eventually erode its stature as a religious body, they reiterated that Modi's visit would be attended by Muslims in large number.