The pamphlets published by Shaukat Bhagariya, also known as Shaukat Haji, says that the election of a Congress candidate in the Gujarat Assembly polls from here has not been fruitful. No development has taken place in the Muslim dominated areas so far, he has claimed.

Haji belongs to the Ghanchi Samaj Muslim community, which has a large presence in the town.

Firdos Kothi, the president of the Ghanchi Samaj has said that Haji is close to the BJP members from Godhra, and the handiwork is a BJP gimmick.

“Our Samaj is apolitical. Haji is close to BJP member Ramzani, and has nothing to do with the Samaj. This is the handiwork of the BJP and nothing else. This is not the view of the Muslims in Godhra,” he said.

A section of Muslims in Godhra as well as Congress MLA C K Raulji have also termed the poster campaign a politically motivated move.

“For the last 10 years, there has been a BJP parliamentarian in Godhra and he has not spent single paise in the Muslim areas,” said Raulji.

He also said Haji doesn’t represent Muslims in Godhra.

Besides, the Congress had denied Haji a ticket in the Nagarpalika elections and he is now hitting back, he added.

“Local Muslims are well aware as to who works for them. Muslim voters know what is going around. They are well aware of their rights and such gimmicks will not change their mind,” he said.

BJP parliamentarian from Godhra Bhupendra Solanki denied the allegations.

He said: “I am not sure that any Muslim is a member of the BJP in Godhra. As such, I cannot comment on any allegations.”

Asked whether the campaigning in Godhra has already started, he said, “Some people must be campaigning to garner support for their candidate even before the list of candidates is out.”

The move by Haji is significant since the Congress strongman, and Union Minister of Textiles Shankersinh Vaghela, is expected to contest the elections from this constituency.

Kapadvanj, from where he was earlier elected, now stands dissolved after the delimitation.

It was only in the 2007 Assembly polls that the Congress wrestled the Godhra Assembly seat from the BJP.

After the 2002 riots also, many Muslim councillors had supported the BJP to form the board in the municipality elections.

The allegations and counter allegations are now gaining momentum as the elections dates have been announced.

Incidentally, the Gujarat government had organised the Republic Day celebrations this time in Godhra, wherein many Muslim community leaders were also felicitated.