Shah wants BJP netas to reach out to minorities:Union minister

Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, BJP president Amit Shah has asked the party leaders to reach out to minority communities to stress the "all-inclusive" character of the BJP, North Goa MP and Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik claimed Sunday.

The directions, according to Naik, were given by Shah during a a closed door interaction with the party functionaries from Goa Saturday, after the BJP chief addressed a meeting of the booth level workers.

"During the closed door meeting, Shah asked the party leaders to reach out to minority communities," Naik told reporters. He added that "Shah was not specific about Goa when he spoke about minority communities".

When asked to elaborate, Naik said, "If you want the party to expand, we will have take everyone together. That is why Shah spoke about reaching out to minorities".

Naik said the incumbent Goa government has seven MLAs from a minority community who got elected on a BJP ticket.

"We have acceptance amongst minorities in Goa. Shah was talking about taking along all communities at the national level," he said.

Explaining the import of Shah's directions, Naik said the BJP chief wanted the leaders to reach out to minorities not for the sake of votes, but wanted them to underline the "all-inclusive" charater of the party.

While addressing BJP workers Saturday, Shah had said if the proposed "grand alliance" wins polls, every leader of the coalition would take turn to be prime minister for a day on six days of a week and the "country would be on holiday on Sunday".

He had also said that the BJP would expand its footprints and win elections in West Bengal and Odisha, currently ruled by the TMC and BJD, respectively.