Muslim villagers campaign for BJP in Gujarat

Displaying a rare amity, Muslim villagers are campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bet Dwarka, ahead of the assembly elections in Gujarat.

Bet Dwarka (Gujarat), Dec 9 : Displaying a rare amity, Muslim villagers are campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bet Dwarka, ahead of the assembly elections in Gujarat.

Villagers here are supporting the BJP, which has been categorised as anti-minority ever since the communal divide became pronounced after the 2002 Godhra riots, in which 2,500 Muslims are believed to have been killed.

Proving to be an oasis of communal harmony, Bet Dwarka has extended its campaign for the BJP to nearby villages as well.

Interestingly, there are no campaigners from the party in this village. The villagers are happy with the Modi government's performance and are themselves raising the votes for the party.

"No BJP leader or screen idol is here to campaign for the party. We ourselves go for the campaign. BJP works for the development and upliftment of the people and hence we are out to mobilise votes for the party," said Suleman Yousuf, a campaigner from the village.

Women too are actively campaigning for the party. Evidently, acrimony and communal politics that has gripped other parts of the state has no place here.

Raimaben, a villager, said: "I am a BJP activist. I am campaigning for the BJP among women since Narendra Modi has done a lot of work for the upliftment of women. We support the BJP."

Campaigning for he first phase of elections scheduled to be held on December 11, came to an end today.

Over 36 million voters will elect the 182-member State assembly. The term of the State Assembly is due to expire on December 26.

ANI