Hyderabad, Mar 17: Elated over what he termed as the large turn-out of Muslims during his 'India shining yatra', Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today said minorities' perception towards the BJP had changed, evidenced by the Muslims joining the outfit in large numbers. Given the track record of the NDA regime during the last five years, the impression of the minorities, especially the Muslims, had undergone a sea change, and it had been vindicated by their large turn out during his 'India shining yatra' in four southern states, Advani told reporters here. ''Almost 1000-1500 Muslims have been joining the BJP every day ever since his yatra rolled out from Kanyakumari on March 10,'' he claimed, hoping this would impact on the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections. ''I am highly gratified by the response of all the communities, including the Christians and Muslims, during my yatra of all the southern states'', he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he was particularly happy to note that even in Hubli, which had witnessed communal riots last year, Muslims attended his public meetings in large numbers.


''In Hubli, a large number of Muslims came to me and expressed their desire to work for the party,'' he said.
This had given him confidence that the BJP would not only form the government in Karnataka but also do well in the Lok Sabha elections, he added.


Bureau Report