BJP ready to apologise to Muslims

Though its prime-ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is yet to say sorry for his alleged controversial role in 2002 riots in Gujarat, the BJP on Tuesday sought to reach out to the Muslims, apologising for its “any mistake” in the past.

The party made a fervent appeal to Muslims to give it a “chance” to form its government at the Centre by voting for it in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, promising that the BJP would stand for “equality” and not allow any kind of hatred in the country, if it came to power. Maintaining that BJP had “never” been against Muslims, the party accused the Congress of spreading “propaganda” against it. It urged the members of the Minority community not to fall trap of such “propaganda”, charging the Congress’ with adopting “divide and rule” policy for electoral gains.

“Please note that whenever, wherever if there has been any mistake and shortcoming on our part, I assure you that we will apologise to you by bowing our heads,” BJP president Rajnath Singh said while addressing a gathering of Muslims at a convention organised by the party’s Minority Morcha and the Rashtriya Muslim Manch here.