What is 'Modi Mitra'? How is BJP using this program to woo minorities?

Hyderabad: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reaching out to minorities with `Modi Mitra’ certificates as a part of their general election campaign.

Under this program, those minorities who are happy with the work of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are awarded this certificate.

Around 150 certificates were distributed in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, recently.

What is Modi Mitra?

It is a certificate issued to those minorities who believe in the works of PM Narendra Modi.

Hanif Ali, member, Central Waqf Council, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, and former state president of BJP Minority Morcha in Telangana explained, “These certificates are being issued in meetings to minorities. It’s a program to reach out to all minorities in the country. This does not mean only Muslims, even Christians, Sikhs, and other communities are being reached out to. Those who like the work of PM Modi and are happy with his work for India are given these certificates.”

Recipients of this certificate are chosen for supporting the prime minister's policies irrespective of their political leanings, he said.

The first program was in Uttar Pradesh and will now be followed in other states of the country.

A meticulous exercise

This exercise of the BJP is meticulously planned. According to sources, some people are not happy with the BJP party but are happy with Modi. For this reason, the card has been named ‘Modi Mitra’. The idea is very clear, it is an attempt at the micro level to divide the votes of the minority, explained a political analyst.

“This strategy is to show two aspects – one that there is a section of the minority that is happy with Modi and can influence others. Like in the Karnataka elections, it is noted that there were businessmen in the Muslim community who voted for the BJP. In this manner, those who have business interests or believe in the works of Modi can support him. This in turn will divide the votes of the minorities at the lowest level. This will dent the chances of the opposition parties who are working towards garnering the support of minorities,” he said

An attempt to secure their allegiance

The certificate is seen as an exercise to secure the allegiance of minorities to the party. In the minority wing, there are backward classes, scheduled classes, tribals, women, and also youth. All of these will be reached out in phases by the ground workers of various committees. The impact is to reach out and secure an allegiance. The party expects to turn the commitment into votes.

The 2024 general elections will be fought by BJP with the PM Narendra Modi as their icon. Will the minorities heed Modi Mitra?