The head of its minority cell, Mehboob Ali Chishti, aka Mahebub Ali Bavasaheb, is from the liberal Sunni Barelvi sect that has a large following in the state. As the December polls draw closer, Bavasaheb has been exhorting Muslims, especially Barelvis, to vote for the BJP and 'share in Gujarat's development'.
In recent days, the BJP has bagged two influential Muslim faces: Congress spokesperson Asifa Khan and retired IPS officer A.I. Saiyed.
But will just this be enough?
"I think there is a major change in the mindset of Gujarat's Muslims. Till now they have been taken for granted by the Congress. But as they witness the benefits of development that the BJP rule has been bringing to the state, they might just switch sides this time," said Naqvi.
