Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Nov 6: Retired IPS officer and JD(S) leader, Abdul Azeem, officially joined BJP on Wednesday November 5 along with about 20 of his supporters from Muslim community. He was given a warm welcome by national BJP vice president, B S Yeddyurappa, state BJP president, Prahlad Joshi, former chief minister, Jagadish Shettar, MP, Shobha Karandlaje, and other leaders at the BJP office on Wednesday evening.
Prahlad Joshi, speaking on the occasion, said that Azeem had joined the party without any preconditions. 'The party will consider giving him suitable positions in due course. We are happy that a retired IPS officer and a number of Muslim leaders have shown inclination to join BJP. This we feel, will give a clear signal to those who unjustifiably cast unfounded allegations on BJP,' he said.
Joshi said that another former MLA and JD(S) leader, Sunil Hegde, will be joining BJP within a week.
Azeem said he was inspired by the development-oriented approach of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. 'I decided to join BJP, as Modi's concern for the country appealed to me,' he clarified.
Azeem said that Congress leaders have been projecting Modi as an anti-Muslim leader, to reap political benefits. 'We should understand that Modi has never been a Muslim hater as being made out to be. He treats every countryman equally. Congress leaders have been using Muslims only for appeasement and political gains. Congress has done nothing for the progress of Muslim community. Muslim leaders have to understand this,' he said.
Azeem added that the Indian Constitution does not have a separate provisions for communals and secularists. 'BJP was never communal, and Congress leaders have been branding this party as communal for their own ends,' he felt.