Shadab Shams, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Waqf Board and a BJP leader, said the party was making a concerted effort to include Muslims in its fold
Team Clarion
DEHRADUN — The Congress party, traditionally a key player in representing minority interests, has reacted critically to the BJP’s ambitious campaign to attract Muslim voters in Uttarakhand. The BJP drive aims to strengthen its foothold in a community that has traditionally been sceptical of the party’s Hindutva ideology.
Lakhpat Singh Butola, Congress MLA from Badrinath, described the BJP’s efforts as disingenuous. “While it’s good to see the BJP trying to reach out to all communities, there is a stark contrast between their statements and their actions,” Butola remarked. “The party’s leaders have frequently made disparaging comments about Muslims, which undermine their current efforts to attract this community.”
The Congress views the BJP’s focus on Muslims as a strategic move to counter its own influence among this demographic.
The latest initiative is part of the BJP’s Organization Mahaparv, a nationwide membership drive targeting minorities.
The BJP’s membership campaign has set a high target for Uttarakhand: enrolling approximately one lakh Muslims. This figure is part of a larger national goal of signing up 50 lakh minority members. The party’s leadership, including Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has been actively involved in renewing memberships and rallying support for the campaign.
“Despite our focus on Hindu voters, we are now making a concerted effort to include Muslims in our fold,” stated Shadab Shams, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Waqf Board and a BJP leader. Shams emphasised that this outreach is aligned with the national strategy to connect with all sections of society, including minorities.
The BJP’s approach includes addressing religious matters and showcasing the benefits Muslims have received from various government schemes. The party aims to counteract accusations of discrimination and highlight its commitment to minority welfare. This shift in strategy comes in response to the party’s historical challenges with Muslim communities, who have often viewed the BJP with suspicion due to its association with Hindu radicalism.
In Uttarakhand, where Muslim voters can sway election outcomes, the BJP’s outreach is seen as an attempt to mitigate its electoral disadvantages and reduce losses in constituencies with significant Muslim population.
The BJP’s membership campaign faces several challenges. Overcoming historical grievances and scepticism among Muslims requires more than just symbolic gestures. The party’s track record and the rhetoric of some of its leaders have created a barrier that cannot be easily dismantled.
The effectiveness of the BJP’s outreach will be measured by its ability to translate these efforts into tangible electoral gains. This will involve not only meeting membership targets but also demonstrating a commitment to addressing the concerns and needs of the Muslim community.
As the BJP’s membership drive progresses, the political landscape in Uttarakhand will be closely watched to assess the impact of these new strategies and their effectiveness in reshaping the saffron party’s relationship with Muslim voters.
