Former Minister and Congress MLA Tanveer Sait has dared the BJP to pursue its political goals without its “anti-Muslim” plank.

Responding to the dubbing of the State Budget as “Halal Budget” by the BJP, Mr. Sait said the saffron party always uses its anti-Muslim plank to grind its political axe.

Accusing the BJP of making political capital out of its anti-Muslim rhetoric, Mr. Sait dared the saffron party leaders to strengthen its political organisation without resorting to its anti-Muslim stance.

He pointed out that the Muslims, who comprise a substantial chunk of the country’s population, had participated in India’s freedom struggle and laid down their lives. They had never licked the boots of the British rulers, he said.

The allocations for minorities in the State were focussed on strengthening education infrastructure for the Muslims so that the youth of the community can participate in nation building and taking the country forward.

He accused the BJP of misleading the people and trying to break the country’s unity and integrity. This country is as much of Muslims as it is of others, he said.