Muslims wary of Modi, fondly remember Vajpayee

Agreed N. Jamal Ansari, director of the Centre for Studies on Muslim Politics in Aligarh: "Muslims may have accepted a moderate like Vajpayee. But Modi is a threat not only to Muslims but to secular India too."

Mufti Mukarram Ahmed, Shahi Imam of the Fatehpuri mosque in Old Delhi, also slammed Modi. "2002 was one of the most terrifying riots. We have nothing personal against Modi. But he is sure to divide the country."

In Jammu and Kashmir, the well-to-do refuse to pardon Modi for the 2002 Gujarat killings. "He could have at least apologized to Muslims," said retired engineer Ghulam Rasool Dar, 63.

But others hold a different view. "Modi must come to power," insisted a contractor, Nazir Ahmad. "Let us see what he can give to poor people like me."

At some 170 million, India's Muslim population is the world's third largest - after Indonesia and Pakistan. Muslims live in large numbers in many of the 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, making them an enviable "vote bank".