Click to play videoNew Delhi: Leader of the Opposition BJP, LK Advani was in unusual company - Muslim leaders from Rajasthan who thronged his residence. With elections to the state of Rajasthan as well as Parliament around the corner, it seems nobody is an untouchable.
"After the accident at the Chamunda Devi temple, the Muslims really cut down their Eid celebrations. That is really great," said Advani in a gesture of thanks to the Muslim community of Rajasthan.
The thanks was followed up by the his concern for the backwardness of the Muslims. "In education, the Muslims are really not visible and nor as corporates," he said.
And finally, he gave some elderly advice.
"Whether you have a boy or girl child, educate them," he the BJP's prime minister-in-waiting.
And the Muslim clergy on their was receptive as well as appreciative.
Muslim leader, Mohammad Atique said, "We want to break this impression that the BJP and Muslims cant get along."
However the BJP insists that Ayodhya, Ram Sethu and Amarnath remain at the forefront of its political thought.
BJP Spokesman Prakash Javadekar said, "These issues count in the nation's first ideology."
This is no U-turn on the part of the BJP. In election season every vote counts, even the minority vote which accounts for almost 18-20 per cent of the population. This is a vote bank which had considered itself far removed from the BJP, but now the saffron brigade feels that there could be a tinge of green in their politics.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.