Author: Roxy Gagdekar
Publication: DNA (Daily News & Analysis)
Date: April 22, 2009
URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1249670&pageid=2
Introduction: Ex-ADGP AI Saiyed says he joined
BJP because it is a party of good people
Retired additional director general of police
(ADGP) AI Saiyed's decision to join the BJP appears to have given the party
some boost this Lok Sabha election. Though he has apparently not been entrusted
any major responsibility, he is widely expected to help BJP make inroads into
Muslim votes.
"I find BJP a good party and the people
associated with it are also good. This is a factor which motivated me to join
the party," Saiyed told DNA a few days after joining the saffron outfit.
Saiyed said there were many wrong notions
about the BJP and it could be changed if more educated people from the minority
joined it. Saiyed officially joined BJP on March 29 at a function in Patan.
About his role in the party, he said, "Whatever
work the party will assign me, I will do with utmost sincerity. The BJP has
posed trust in me and I will not let the party down," Saiyed said.
Many educated people from the minority community
have recently expressed their disenchantment with Congress.
"Congress has been taking Muslim votes
for granted for all these years. We will no longer be fooled by this. The
Muslims will not vote for a party which treats them as nothing but vote bank,"
a Muslim intellectual told DNA.
Saiyed refused to comment on Congress. But
he targeted Ahmed Patel, a senior Congress leader from Gujarat. "He has
visited Gujarat only during this election after 2002 riots and never issued
a single statement for Muslims here," he said.
"I will join the BJP candidates during
their visits to the Muslim-dominated areas. I am confident a large number
of Muslim voters will shift their loyalties to BJP in the coming elections,"
said Saiyed.
Saiyed admits his main objective to join the
BJP is to bring the Muslims back in the mainstream.The other issues that he
plans to highlight in the coming elections include education and awareness
among the Muslims about the right perspective and the social fabric of Gujarat.
"More Muslims have been killed in riots
before 2002. Why is only 2002 being highlighted?" Saiyed asked and added,
"On the other hand, not a single Muslim has been killed in Gujarat in
communal riots since 2002, is it not safety for them?"