The Hindu : Muslim mindset towards BJP changing: Jaitley

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 23, 2004

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National

Muslim mindset towards BJP changing: Jaitley

SHIMLA, FEB. 22. The BJP today claimed there was a "discernible change" in the attitude of Muslims towards it and their mindset was changing.

The BJP general secretary and Union Law Minister, Arun Jaitley, told reporters here that the fact that the Uttar Pradesh Government was forced to withdraw its controversial order regarding post-noon holiday in schools and intermediate colleges on Fridays under protests from prominent Muslim leaders was an indication that their thinking was changing.

He said many Muslims were appreciating the BJP's vision and were joining the party.

Asked about the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani's comments on the feel-good factor vis-à-vis farmers, Mr. Jaitley said there were several areas where much more needed to be done but the Vajpayee Government's "outstanding" performance in various other areas should not be belittled.

He claimed that the Congress had "no leader, no clear policy on alliance and no common platform" to fight the NDA and that the choice before the people in the ensuing general elections would be "NDA or chaos."

So far the Congress had finalised only two alliances — with the RJD in Bihar and with the NCP in Maharashtra — and the people would have to decide whether they wanted governments like those in Bihar and Maharashtra, Mr. Jaitley said.

In Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, the infighting in the Congress had paralysed the Governments and there was no agenda or direction for development, he said. — PTI

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