BJP Accuses Muslim Bodies of Religious Appeals in Maharashtra, Jharkhand Polls; Urges EC, SC Action

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th Nov. The BJP on Saturday alleged that certain Muslim organizations are attempting to polarize elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand by urging voters to support the INDIA bloc based on religious lines. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused groups like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind of promoting “vote jihad” through such appeals.

Bhatia highlighted a statement by Maulana Sajjad Nomani of the AIMPLB, who reportedly urged Muslims to back the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in 269 seats in Maharashtra and other non-BJP parties in a few constituencies. Nomani emphasized that the outcome of the Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2024 would influence not only the state’s future but also that of the country.

In Jharkhand, Bhatia alleged, the Lohardaga unit of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind appealed to Muslims to vote en bloc for the Congress-JMM-RJD-CPI (ML) Liberation alliance.

“This is the height of appeasement politics,” Bhatia remarked, calling such appeals a blatant violation of democratic norms. He claimed that voting appeals based on religion amount to corrupt practices under electoral law.

Urging the Election Commission and the Supreme Court to intervene, Bhatia said, “Elections in India must remain pure and untarnished, like the sacred waters of the Ganges.” He further criticized the INDIA bloc, accusing it of appeasement politics and ignoring threats posed by illegal immigrants.

The BJP spokesperson also contrasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for national unity, encapsulated in the slogan “ek rahoge toh, safe rahoge,” with what he described as divisive tactics by the opposition. Bhatia reiterated the BJP’s commitment to ensuring fair elections and called for strict action against any entity attempting to polarize voters.