Union minister Najma Heptulla on Tuesday said the BJP’s win in the Assam Assembly polls suggested the rising confidence of the minorities in the party because of the NDA government’s public welfare schemes.
As compared to the UPA, the NDA government made available more funds for the welfare of six minority communities in the country and focus is being laid on the execution of the schemes meant for them, she said. “The fear among minorities has definitely receded and confidence has been developed. Confidence building takes some time. The focus of the Narendra Modi government is mainly on sab ka saath, sab ka vikas (inclusive growth). And the Assam Assembly poll result suggests that confidence is building among people,” Heptulla said.
She said the NDA government is engaged in “politics of development” unlike the “politics of division” of rival parties and the BJP will be able to do well in the assembly elections in UP and other states too.
She said the NDA government made available 18.4 per cent more funds under the multi-sectoral development programme (MSDP) for minorities as compared to UPA. In 2012-13 and 2013-14, the UPA had released Rs 641.26 crore and Rs 953.21 crore, respectively, for MSDP. The NDA government gave Rs 767.86 crore in 2014-15 and Rs 1120.34 crore for 2015-16, she said.