BJP gets support of 4 Muslim members to form Godhra Municipality board

According to Godhra BJP leader Gurjibhai Patel,two factors would help the BJP to form the body. “Some Independent Muslims have already shown their interest to form the board. Secondly,the BJP is the only party to have fielded SC/ST candidates,” said Patel. He added that five to six Independent Muslim candidates had approached senior party leader and Member of Parliament,Prabhatsinh Chauhan,and extended their support to the party.

Majid Bakhar,one of the Independent candidates elected from ward number seven,said his support to a BJP board is unconditional. “The only condition would be development of my ward. Along with me,three other

Independents are also planning to support the board,” said Bakhar,who was elected from the ward for the second time. Asked if the Congress had approached him before or after the polls,he said that party had fielded candidates against him in the ward,so there was no question of supporting the Congress.

Among other Independent Muslims who have extended their support to the BJP are Mehboob Patel,Sofia Jamal and Usman Dabhi. The BJP has bagged 18 of the 42 seats of the municipality,while Independents won 20 seats.