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By IANS - KHEDA/NEW DELHI
12th December 2012 09:21 PM
Cricketer Irfan Pathan Wednesday shared the stage with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally in Kheda, signalling the ruling BJP's desire to woo the youths and the minority community ahead of the balloting for the state assembly.
Pathan was with Modi during the rally for the second phase of elections in the state Dec 17. The first phase polling will take place Thursday.
The BJP has not fielded any candidate from the state's main minority community in the polls but has been making efforts to woo the community to widen its electoral base. Former state deputy chief minister and Congress leader Narhari Amin joined the BJP last week.
Congress leader and External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid took a dig at Modi over Pathan's presence at the rally.
Khurshid said Modi was trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat to ensure his victory. He said in an election one cannot expect the opponent to fight as "you would expect".
"I am surprised he is fighting it in this manner," he said.
BJP MP Smriti Irani defended Khan's presence and said that people would vote for the party on the basis of development brought about by Modi in the state.
She said the Congress was "demonising the player (Khan)" and "hitting below the belt".
Copyright © 2012 The New Indian Express. All rights reserved.
Comments(4)
it would be the best opportunity for pathan to join politics with modi as a Muslim face.Because he has no guts that break him into Indian playing squad.in addition he should not expect a respect from Muslims.
Posted by abdurrahmankhan at 12/13/2012 09:57 Reply to this Report abuse
Modi at best can play his development card.His confidence seems to stem from it.Most correctly.As an RSS man,he might have had other considerations.As a CM of a multi-religious state,bordering close to the land of avowed misunderstanding, he can't afford to lose the support of even a single sect,however negligible it might be.His past lapses are within proportionately pardonable limits.His tangible patriotism ,often exaggerated as communalism,would allow him love all citizens.Nobody can satisfy those who refuse to be satisfied.Modi is also human.When we are bound to say everybody in politics is evil,then we can say ,Modi is the least evil.
Posted by KALLAN KRISHNARAJ at 12/13/2012 11:45 Reply to this Report abuse
Just to keep his cricket carrier, Pathan is supporting Narendar modi. Pathan is not deserve respect from muslims. Very soon pathans carrier will end soon.
Posted by Parvez at 12/14/2012 12:15 Reply to this Report abuse
Modi doesn't need to show anything public of Gujarat knows that he has given Gujarat development and growth that is enough to win the hearts of people...
Posted by kartik at 12/14/2012 12:33 Reply to this Report abuse