Jamal Siddiqui, the national president of the BJP Minority Morcha, has dismissed remarks made by Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP leader from West Bengal, who suggested dissolving the party’s minority wing.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Siddiqui emphasized that ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ remains a key principle for the BJP, contrary to Adhikari’s stance. “Perhaps Suvendu Adhikari ji made this comment mistakenly. He is new to our party and lacks deep connections with the grassroots. Having come from another party (Trinamool Congress), his previous affiliations influence his perspective,” Siddiqui remarked.

At a BJP West Bengal executive committee meeting, Adhikari, facing criticism due to poor electoral performances, argued that Muslims do not vote for the BJP and suggested that the party should abandon ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ in favor of aligning with supportive communities. He also called for the dissolution of the BJP’s Minority Morcha.

Adhikari later clarified his comments, claiming he was “quoted out of context” and that he fully supports ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’

Siddiqui expressed understanding for Adhikari’s frustration over electoral setbacks but stressed that the BJP’s mission transcends electoral gains. “The BJP works for society as a whole, not merely for electoral victory. We serve all communities, irrespective of their voting patterns. This is our duty,” he stated.

Festive offer
Siddiqui emphasized the importance of the principle ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,’ calling it the soul of the BJP. “Without this guiding principle, the party loses its essence. Our mission is service (sewa), not power (satta). If we gain power, it’s to enhance our capacity to serve. The Prime Minister has always advocated for serving even those who do not vote for us, aligning with the Antyodaya philosophy of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya.”

For national development, Siddiqui added, “Every citizen must benefit from progress and feel secure.”

Reflecting on the BJP’s minority outreach and the misconceptions among Muslims, Siddiqui lamented the success of opposition propaganda in alienating Muslims from the BJP. “During elections, our leaders’ statements were distorted, fostering hatred. PM Narendra Modi has explicitly stated that he rejects divisive politics. He engages with Sufis and annually sends a chaadar to Ajmer Sharif,” he noted.

Addressing accusations of targeting the minority community as “infiltrators,” Siddiqui clarified that Modi does not refer to Muslims in this context. “Muslims are honored citizens of this country, but they have been misled by opposition parties. Government schemes have significantly benefited the Muslim community. It’s time for our Muslim brothers to support those who work for national development.”

On opposition promises, Siddiqui remarked, “While sweet words may be appealing, like medicine, truth and genuine effort are necessary for the nation’s health.”

The BJP established its Minority Morcha in 1980 to connect with the Muslim community and explain its ideology. Despite the challenges following the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, the Morcha continues its efforts, with around 42,000 office-bearers nationwide.

Highlighting the Morcha’s initiatives, Siddiqui mentioned their efforts to promote PM Modi’s schemes within the Muslim community, engage with Sufi leaders, and support the Pasmanda Muslims, the most marginalized within the community.

A Morcha member added that they have a presence in Jammu and Kashmir, with some members having lost their lives to militancy. “While people may come and go, our Minority Morcha office-bearers remain loyal, driven by nationalism and the Antyodaya mission,” the member said.