No doubt that Rajveer Singh, Varun Gandhi, Manoj Sinha, Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani are ahead in the race. But, if BJP is willing to experiment and do something that it has never done before, it should consider Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi for CM’s post in Uttar Pradesh.
For those who are not aware, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi is one of BJP’s most prominent Muslim leaders. Currently, the recently elected Rajya Sabha MP from Jharkhand is Union Minister of State for parliamentary affairs and is also one of BJP’s vice-presidents. Naqvi has worked as Union Minister of State in Vajpayee government. He hails from Allahabad and has been associated with right-wing students union since college days. The Muslim leader started his political career with Janta Party. Not just state of Uttar Pradesh, but his knowledge about all the states is impressive. The Minister of State has worked as party’s spokesperson for Hindi channels in the past.
The 58-year-old MP recently attracted a lot of attention when he indirectly hit-out at P Chidambaram by saying that the person who is responsible for the theft of documents in Ishrat Jahan encounter case must be punished under laws for anti-national activity.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
In spite of underworld and Islamic State’s threats, he has firmly been with the BJP even during its bad phase. May it be Gandhi family, Chidambaram, Manmohan Singh, Mayavati, Mulayam, Kejriwal, or leftist journalists; Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has the ability to give a point-by-point rebuttal to everyone. His language skills and witty one-liners manage to bring a smile on viewers face during debates.
As a journalist, I think Naqvi’s knowledge is as good as that of Rajnath Singh and probably better than Smriti Irani.
He created controversy for the BJP, right after 26/11 attacks by making anti-women comments about candlelight-march participants.
You may criticise me and laugh, but highlighting Naqvi as CM or even as deputy CM’s face in UP elections would help BJP to not only prove their secular credentials, but may also help it to sail safely through caste politics complications in UP.
The state has witnessed a considerable rise in riots under Akhilesh’s rule. Both, Hindus and Muslims are complaining about law and order. Even the BJP lost Bihar polls and Prime Minister was asked questions about non-existent ‘religious intolerance’ while in the UK. Roping in a Muslim face to discuss all these issues during the UP elections will add more credibility in party’s overall stand against the SP government.
Such step would perhaps bring political tsunami. It would possibly change the way Muslim population looks at the Bhartiya Janta Party. This will positively impact the party in other states as well.