In its quest for power the BJP has decided to woo Muslims in a big way by promising a "riot-free" country and adequate representation to the minorities.

... BJP vice-president K.L. Sharma said that the party manifesto would seek to assuage misgiving among the minorities and assure them ... riot-free country and a corruption-free administration."

Hinting at a shift from the party's earlier strong pro-Hindu line, Mr Sharma said, "Every election has its own background and reality; the February polls are definitely going to be fought on the issues of stability, credibility and good governance."

He said that though the party was not going to give up any of its old causes, it would at the same time appreciate the "importance of certain issues for the coming elections."

Mr. Sharma said that his party expected a "large chunk" of Muslim votes in the elections. The minorities ... have always tended to side with a party likely to come to power. Once they voted for the Congress and this time the BJP could be their choice ... "A good number of renowned personalities from the minorities are likely to contest the polls on the BJP ticket," he said.

He said that the party would give the minorities an adequate share of its tickets. referring to the Muslim Youth conference, the party organised (in Delhi in December, 97) the BJP leader said, "It was a clear indication of the BJP's growing acceptability among the Muslims." ... Mr. Sharma said that party leader Atal Behari Vajpayee being projected as the Prime Ministerial candidate was going to prove a "decisive factor" in the elections ... "Vajpayee can inspire non-committed voters to back the BJP".                   (Source: The Times of India, 7 December, 1997)