June 26, 2019
Aruvanpalli Puthiyapurayil Abdullakutty is a rare breed in politics. He was a CPI(M) MP from Kannur twice and a Congress legislator. CPI(M) expelled him in 2009 when he hailed the Gujarat model of development and then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. After a month, he joined Congress and was elected to Kerala Assembly from Kannur in 2009 and 2011.
Now, he is joining the BJP to follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His critics brand him as a “political hopper” who switches parties according to his convenience. But Abdullakutty feels that he has changed parties for one reason – development and without development no nation would survive.
He has already met PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah and expressed his desire to join BJP. He is joining the BJP on Wednesday. For BJP in Kerala, Abdullakutty is a price catch as they have no popular leader from the Muslim community.
Abdullakutty explains to India Today why he opted for the saffron party and what are his future plans.
Q: Why you decided to join BJP when minorities in Kerala voted against BJP?
A: My decision to join BJP was not taken overnight. I was impressed by the developmental agenda carried out by the first Modi government and now. After Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, India’s esteem has shot up globally. He has improved diplomatic relationships with our neighbours and Gulf countries. He has a vision and action plan to bring in changes in the quality of life of our people.
It’s the duty of all responsible citizens to support developmental agendas of the government. The Prime Minister addressed our problems and implemented projects to better India’s destiny. He launched Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014 to improve sanitation and provide drinking water to the poor. During the last four years, around 618 districts in India were declared open defecation free. The Swatchh Bharat programme has changed the lives of poor in urban and rural areas.
Under Ujjwala Yojana, Modi government has provided free LPG connections to poor families. All these schemes had empowered poor women in India and improved their quality of life. He has given hope to people to live in dignity. As a social worker, I believe that people have a right to live in India with dignity.
I always supported developmental agendas of any government. When I was a member of Lok Sabha, I’d visited Gujarat and was impressed by the rapid progress the state had achieved when Modi was chief Minister.
Look at the fate of Kerala, a state with hundred per cent literacy and receiving Rs 85,000 crore NRI money annually. Why are investors scared to invest in Kerala. Our parochialism against investors and negative mindsets have driven them away from Kerala. When I voiced against it and praised the Gujarat model, CPI(M) expelled me. The Congress welcomed me and I worked with them for almost 10 years. I found Congress playing divisive politics and it has no effective programmes or action plan to better the lives of people. So I decided to join BJP to work for the people.
Q: Do you have an offer from BJP leadership?
A: I have no offer and will be joining the BJP unconditionally. I will work for the party and try to act as a bridge between BJP and Muslims. The Kerala Muslim community has misunderstood BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The misinformation campaign launched by both Left parties and Congress for their survival confused the Muslim community in Kerala. The Muslims in Gujarat, UP, Maharashtra have no problems in supporting BJP. My first priority is to connect my community with BJP and Prime Minister. In fact, Modi government is working with a vision to improve social status of poor Muslims in India. Prime Minister Modi is the new messiah for poor Muslims who live in misery. Only through education, can they improve their destiny. I will do everything possible to wipe out the misunderstanding about Modi government tagged by the Opposition among Muslims.
Q: Do you think that Muslims will believe you as a BJP politician?
A: They are sensible and have already realized the changing scenario in national politics. They have been betting blindly on Congress, Indian Union Muslim League and CPIM and receiving a raw deal. These political parties had treated them as vote bank and failed to deliver. But Prime Minister Modi is sincere in his approach while delivering the best for the country. He has used development to link people together. I’ve won elections for CPIM and Congress. I can effectively communicate to people. I can convince them.
Source : Indiatoday
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