PM Modi's outreach towards Muslims and Dalits
What's the story
In BJP's National Council meeting on Sunday, PM Modi urged party cadres to focus on "social justice" by empowering the Dalit and Muslim communities. The outreach is a part of BJP's commemoration for 'Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay' birth centenary. He stressed upon the need for welfare of weaker sections and said they're a part of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" policy.
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BJP's National Council Meeting
BJP's national council meeting was held at Kozhikode, Kerala; it commenced on September 23, 2016 and concluded yesterday. Kozhikode was the chosen venue as Deendayal Upadhyaya, became president of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) in 1967 at Kozhikode; BJS was the forerunner of BJP. Separately, earlier this year, BJP won its first assembly-seat in Kerala and the meeting is to renew focus on Kerala.
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BJP's focus on southern states
For the first time, BJP won one seat in Kerala assembly election in 2016, however its vote share was an impressive 10.53%. BJP has begun to focus on the southern states like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu as these states collectively have 87 Lok Sabha seats.
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BJP sets strategy for elections at council meeting
Crucial state elections loom in five states. PM Modi set the tone for BJP to move towards 'welfare of the downtrodden' by stressing upon "happiness for all, welfare for all". PM Modi spoke extensively on secularism, inclusive growth and of bringing SC/ST, Muslims and Dalits into the mainstream. BJP Chief Ministers prepared a report on 'welfare of the poor' that the political resolution emphasized.
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Modi's key statements on welfare of Minorities
Modi said, "Muslims should not be seen as a separate class. They are not a marketplace for votes. They should neither be despised nor appeased. They are our own." The political resolution moved at BJP's National Council meeting, its key-theme was "the year of welfare of the downtrodden". The resolution stressed the need for 'co-existence of popularity of social discipline along with individual liberty.'
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Congress and Left's failings
The political resolution moved by former party president, Nitin Gadkari, at the BJP Council meeting in Kozhikode and adopted by the party blamed the "ideologies of Congress and the Left" for their failure in "delivering a just and judicious governance in the country".