Kerala BJP Chief Links Muslim Ministerial Absence to Voting Patterns: "They Don't Vote For Us"

Currently, the Union Cabinet has no ministers from the Muslim community.

Kozhikode:

Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar ignited a political controversy on Wednesday when he linked Muslim representation in Parliament and the Union Cabinet to their voting patterns.

During a 'Meet the Press' event at the Kozhikode Press Club, Chandrasekhar explained that Muslims are absent from ministerial positions at the Centre because they generally don't support the BJP electorally.

"Muslim MPs can only emerge if Muslims vote for the BJP. Without MPs, how can we have Muslim ministers?" he questioned.

Chandrasekhar repeatedly challenged the audience to consider what benefits Muslims had gained through their historical support of the Congress party.

"What has the Muslim community achieved by consistently voting for Congress? If they choose not to support the BJP, how can they expect representation?" he inquired.

He suggested that if Muslims in Kozhikode shifted their support to the BJP, it could potentially lead to electing a Muslim MP from the area, which might subsequently create opportunities for ministerial positions.

The BJP leader emphasized that political representation stems from electoral support rather than entitlement.

Chandrasekhar characterized the upcoming election not as a preliminary contest but as the decisive battle. He stated that the BJP aims not merely to change Kerala's ruling party but to transform its governance approach entirely.

He claimed that 95 percent of Kerala's development projects are funded by the Central government, while accusing the state administration of improper fund allocation.

According to Chandrasekhar, what Kerala requires now is a "double-engine government."

The current Union Cabinet lacks Muslim representation entirely. For the first time since India gained independence, no Muslim MP has been included in the Cabinet, and no Muslim candidate running under the NDA alliance secured a seat in the 18th Lok Sabha.

In the previous Modi administration, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was the only Muslim minister.

Chandrasekhar's statements come as Kerala prepares for two-phase local body elections on December 9 and 11. Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently tasked the state president with increasing BJP's vote share from 16 percent to 25 percent.