In Delhi, the BJP debates ‘Hindu terror’ vs. ‘Islamic terror’ but the party’s Kashmir unit administers a little bit of Islam, some nationalism and a large dose of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Slogans like ‘Nareye Takbeer, Allah Ho Akbar’ (Say he is the greatest, Allah is the greatest) announce every rally or workers’ meeting. Candidates reiterate their Muslim credentials before talking about the party’s Kashmir agenda. “I am a Muslim first with God and his Prophet, peace be on him, being in my heart. After that I am a party worker or a candidate. If the BJP was even remotely anti-Muslim, why would a practicing Muslim like me join the party,” challenges Sofi Yusuf, president of the Kashmir BJP and the party’s candidate from Anantnag.

“I am not talking about the few known names in Delhi. The BJP is full of Muslims in other states. In Ajmer, for example, which is the holiest of places for Muslims, the entire Dargah Auqaf supports the BJP. One candidate from the Auqaf won and is now the transport minister in Rajasthan,” says Yusuf.

But the more interesting reason he offers is Vajpayee. “

Kashmiris love Vajpayeeji. He did so much for us,” he says. “The fact that he was the most secular prime minister cannot be doubted. From the opening of the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar road to getting an international airport in Kashmir, it was all his endeavour. Unfortunately, others are taking the credit,” he says.

The BJP, he claims, doesn’t have dual standards. “Look at all the parties here. They talk autonomy or self-rule and do all kinds of vote-bank politics. The BJP, at least, does what it preaches,” he says. “In 1987 the Muslim United Front was winning and the Congress-led government in Delhi handpicked the National Conference to form the government. The disillusioned youth who wanted a change from the khandan raj in the Valley, took to the gun,” he says.

... contd.