How Narendra Modi heals Muslims woes, fetches votes for BJP

Ahmedabad, Feb 14: Days after the historical victory of Bharaitya Janata Party (BJP) in Salaya, Salem Mohammad Baghaad explained why the Muslims of the town voted for Narendra Modi's BJP leaving their woes behind. BJP won all 27 seats of town municipality in Salaya, a Muslim-majority town in Dwarka district. Among BJP's 27 candidates, 24 were Muslims while remaining three were Hindus including one Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidate. Salem Mohammad Baghaad is one of the Muslim candidates who had helped BJP which for the first time will govern the local corporation in Salaya, a town where Muslims form 90 percent of the population. While speaking about the election, Baghdad stated that he had represented Congress, the Samata Party and other political parties at different phases of his career. But now, when he is with BJP, he is at the peek of his political career, asserted 45-year-old Baghaad. He was quoted as saying, "Honestly, joining the BJP was a tough decision for me. But I was confident about myself, about my decision. I knew if I joined hands with Mr Modi, it will mean more benefits for the town and more development." "It was like Narendra Modi opened the government coffers for us. Whatever money we wanted for development came flowing in. And it hasn't stopped," added Mr Baghaad. Salaya has been enjoying fruits of development with Essar Energy's integrated energyc company establishing a power unit to generate 1200 mw. Salaya I is Essar Energy's first coal fired power project and has been built at a total investment cost of US$1.1 billion. Most of the power produced will be sold to the Gujarat state electricity utility, GUVNL, under a long term contract. When all the units are commissioned, the project is expected to generate nearly 2000 mw power. Salaya will also be getting a world-class marine infrastructure project with a state-of-the-art material handling facility. The bulk handling port will be capable of handling 20 MMTPA of cargo. The jetty is located in the Salaya Harbour, which is naturally protected by two islands - Kalubhar Tapu and Dhani Be. The results of the Panchayat vote prove that Muslims in the state started adopting the advances of development in Gujarat leaving the woes which they had.