'BJP is not a construction company to build a temple'

New Delhi: Having emerged from humble beginnings to reach the top rung of the party, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is today the most prominent Muslim leader in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A key strategist for the last many years in the elections, he is not only managing the show at the party meets, but also contesting from Rampur in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Recently, he has been vocal in his comments on the great grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru, Varun Gandhi's tirade against Muslims in his speeches in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. He said that Varun's remarks "were offensive and the Election Commission should take appropriate notice".

Even as the party grapples with infighting within its rank and file, Gulf News spoke to Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vice-President of the BJP.

GULF NEWS: On what issues does the BJP intend fighting the forthcoming elections? Who are its target voters?

MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI: This election will see 40 per cent new young voters. They have their own concerns about employment, education and empowerment. And no political party can ignore these issues. As for us, we have always been sensitive towards the youth, women and the weaker sections of the society.

You are talking about issues. But your opponents say the BJP has no issue to raise and brand the party as 'communal'.

It is unfortunate to be branded such. But our opponents should make a note that in more than half the states, we are running the governments. We have also effectively run the government at the Centre. The populace has accepted us. Communalism is an old formula now. People have understood that in the name of secularism, these political parties have been exploiting the voters for years.

BJP versus Congress can wait. But for now, it is Arun Jaitley versus Rajnath Singh.

The feud should end soon. It is not a big issue, but, unfortunately, it has been highlighted a lot. The issue looks big to others as BJP is seemingly coming closer to power.

On the contrary, infighting seems to be dooming the party. It is said that BJP does not need rivals. The 'party with a difference' is now called 'the party with differences'.

Such issues might look big in the Capital, but ground realities are completely different in other states. During elections differences do crop up and it happens in all parties.

As if there were fewer problems, Varun Gandhi has added to them. What are your views on the inflammatory remarks he has made in his speeches?

I strongly condemn what he has said in his speeches. To say that every Muslim's skull cap and beard is a product of Osama Bin Laden's factory or is symbolic of a certain ideology that he promotes, is highly objectionable. Varun may clarify what he said, but what we see today, is not acceptable to the civil society of this country, whether it is Hindus or Muslims. Hindutva certainly does not promote this kind of ideology.

Coming from your own party person, do such remarks personally hurt you? Would you term them inciting and irresponsible?

Yes, they definitely hurt. Divide and rule has been the culture of the Congress for the past 60 years. They have divided the society in the name of religion, caste, creed and region. It was irresponsible and over-ambitious attitude of Varun to have spoken in that manner.

Uma Bharti has been suddenly attracted to BJP again. How is her U-turn being taken? Is she welcomed or are you people wary of her?

All this is happening because with BJP at the helm, the National Democratic Alliance is moving towards forming a government at the Centre. So long-lost associates, who had left the party for whatever reasons, are making a comeback. Uma Bharti has written a nice letter to Advani, but there is no proposal to join. Let us see.

Does that mean others like Kalyan Singh and Govindacharya would be welcomed in the future?

As far as Kalyan Singh is concerned, he has done enough damage. Earlier, he spoke against Atal Bihari Vajpayee and then there were several other issues, including pressure tactics to give party tickets to his people. He will not be acceptable to BJP.

What plus points do you see in the BJP now, compared to when you joined it?

Over a period of time, the BJP's acceptability among the masses has risen. The question of 'untouchable party' in the minds of the minorities no longer exists. They may not approve of it completely, but do not detest it either. It is being seen as a national political party and according to their perception of merits and demerits people are voting for it.

The party shot to fame because of the Ayodhya issue, which does not charm the voters anymore. In fact, the issue seems to have become more of a baggage on the party.

For the BJP, Ayodhya is not a political issue. But more than us, our political opponents are worried and keep reminding us. They say we have forgotten the issue of the construction of Ram temple. And that we are not doing anything about Article 370 and the Common Civil Code.

Does that mean BJP has given up the temple issue for good?

BJP is not a construction company to build a temple, mosque, church and gurudwara. We support the cause that there should be a Ram temple in Ayodhya, but it has to be done with consensus of the religious groups and organisations through negotiations and talks. Or according to the court's verdict.

At one time people had so much hope from the BJP and genuinely sought reprieve from the Congress. But they feel let down.

Today, Advani is the natural choice after Vajpayee. The NDA, the BJP and the people of this country have accepted him as Prime Minister-in-waiting. Definitely, the charisma of Vajpayee is missing, as no one can match his statesmanship. But after him, the best choice is Advani. Without him, neither the NDA, nor BJP can think of getting a majority.

Ever since the party lost its biggest strategist, Pramod Mahajan, nothing is the same in BJP. Do you miss him, especially during elections?

Yes, we do. In fact, I worked with him for 10 years - planning strategies and handling management work during the Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections. He knew the pulse of issues and his focus on every area in each constituency and state was marvellous. Mahajan is very much missed.