This Article is From Sep 17, 2013

On Narendra Modi's 63rd birthday, BJP's 'secular' party

Muslim supporters of Narendra Modi cut a huge cake to celebrate his birthday in Ahmedabad

New Delhi: On Narendra Modi's 63rd birthday, the BJP's party has a secular theme.

Four days after the BJP announced that Mr Modi will be its candidate for PM for the 2014 general elections, the Gujarat Chief Minister is doing the rounds of Ahmedabad collecting blessings and good wishes. (Who said what on Modi's birthday)

And the party is using the occasion for a spot of political consolidation.

The BJP has organised a recruitment drive with special emphasis on inducting one lakh Muslim youth.

In Mumbai, Muslims linked to the BJP's minority cell gathered at the historic Makhdoom Shah Baba mausoleum or Mahim Dargah to "pray for Mr Modi's long life."

In organised effort in Gujarat, a group of Muslims linked to the BJP celebrated the Chief Minister's birthday with a giant, 64 kg cake. Similar cake-cutting ceremonies were held in a few other cities.

As Mr Modi makes a bid to be Prime Minister next year, he needs to win friends and influence people.

In that effort, he is also attempting to turn a debate over his secular credentials on its head. He is accused by political rivals of being a divisive leader, but his party insists that Mr Modi enjoys support among minorities too. Today's recruitment plan aims to demonstrate that.

At a massive rally in Jaipur last week, Muslims were requested by the BJP to attend wearing burqas and skull caps.

Then, on Sunday, Mr Modi said at a rally of ex-serviceman in Haryana that politicians should learn a lesson in secularism from the Indian armed forces.

The Gujarat Chief Minister is accused of not doing enough to stop the communal riots that
Narendra_Modi_mother_exchange_sweets_on_birthday_PTI_295.jpg
mangled his state in 2002, leaving hundreds of people, mostly Muslims, dead. Those accusations have not been proved in court.

This morning, Mr Modi, dressed in a golden kurta, began his day with a visit to the home of his 95-year-old mother Hira Ba. He also visited Keshubhai Patel, who had rebelled against him and quit the BJP to float his own party before Assembly elections last year.
.