The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a significant nationwide outreach program targeting economically weaker Muslim families ahead of Eid, a move widely interpreted as part of a broader strategy to foster goodwill within the community, especially with the Bihar Assembly elections approaching later this year. The campaign, titled 'Saugat-e-Modi' (Modi’s Gift), aims to reach around 32 lakh underprivileged Muslim families by providing them with specially curated Eid kits. The initiative began in Nizamuddin, a prominent area in southeast Delhi, under the leadership of BJP President JP Nadda, and is set to expand across multiple states in the coming weeks.
Each kit, valued between ₹500 to ₹600, contains essentials such as vermicelli, dates, dry fruits, sugar, and clothing. Women’s kits include fabric for traditional suits, while men’s kits feature kurta-pyjamas, reflecting an understanding of cultural preferences associated with Eid celebrations. The BJP Minority Morcha’s national president, Jamal Siddiqui, who is spearheading the initiative, emphasized that this campaign reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusivity and his self-proclaimed role as a "guardian of 140 crore Indians." Siddiqui highlighted Modi’s longstanding tradition of acknowledging diverse religious festivals, including Christmas, Easter, Baisakhi, and the Prime Minister’s regular practice of sending a 'chadar' (sacred cloth) to revered Sufi shrines like Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi and Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan.
Siddiqui further clarified that the outreach wouldn’t stop at Eid. He revealed plans to extend similar aid to other minority communities during their respective religious celebrations, such as Good Friday, Easter, and Nowruz. This approach seems designed to reinforce the BJP’s evolving narrative of reaching out to all faiths, fostering a more inclusive image — a particularly strategic move given the party’s historically strained relationship with Muslim voters. In addition, Eid Milan gatherings will be organized at the district level to create direct dialogue and engagement between BJP workers and the community, further personalizing the outreach effort.
The program’s scale is ambitious. It involves a staggering 32,000 BJP Minority Morcha workers, each tasked with personally connecting with at least 100 individuals. This adds up to a potential reach of over 32 lakh people. Moreover, the initiative extends to religious institutions, with workers planning to contact 32,000 mosques across the country to ensure the kits are widely distributed and reach the intended beneficiaries. By leveraging these grassroots networks, the BJP seems to be focusing on creating a lasting, personal connection with economically disadvantaged Muslim families, ensuring the Prime Minister’s message of inclusivity resonates directly with them.
The timing of this initiative is no coincidence. It aligns strategically with the Bihar Assembly elections, slated for October-November 2025. Bihar is a critical state with 243 seats, and its electoral landscape has traditionally been fiercely contested. The current National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government — comprising the BJP, Janata Dal (United) led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and other regional allies — narrowly secured victory in the 2020 Assembly elections with 125 seats. The opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance), comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and other parties, followed closely behind with 110 seats. This tight race has set the stage for an even more intense battle in the upcoming polls.
For the BJP, the 'Saugat-e-Modi' campaign could be a tactical move to chip away at the opposition’s traditional stronghold over Muslim voters, a demographic that has largely leaned towards the RJD and Congress in Bihar. By focusing on economically weaker families and positioning itself as a benefactor during an important cultural celebration, the BJP appears to be making a concerted effort to soften its image and appeal to a voter base that has historically remained elusive.
However, the initiative hasn’t escaped criticism. Political analysts and opposition leaders argue that the program, though wrapped in the language of welfare and generosity, is fundamentally a political strategy designed to secure votes under the guise of charity. Critics point to the BJP’s previous election strategies, where targeted outreach programs to specific voter groups played a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes. The opposition is likely to scrutinize the timing, scale, and intent of the initiative, raising questions about whether it represents genuine social outreach or a calculated move to sway votes.
Moreover, the success of the initiative depends not only on how widely the kits are distributed but also on how the BJP’s efforts are perceived by the community. While the kits may provide short-term goodwill, long-term trust among Muslim voters — many of whom have been wary of the BJP’s policies — may be harder to secure. The BJP faces the challenge of convincing voters that this initiative is part of a sincere commitment to inclusivity, rather than a temporary gesture aimed at electoral gains.
In Bihar’s complex political landscape, where caste, community, and economic class heavily influence voting patterns, the 'Saugat-e-Modi' campaign could prove pivotal. If successful, it might help the BJP broaden its voter base and make inroads into constituencies traditionally dominated by the opposition. On the other hand, if perceived as purely political maneuvering, it risks reinforcing existing skepticism and backfiring, especially if opposition parties capitalize on that sentiment.
Ultimately, the campaign marks a significant shift in the BJP’s outreach strategy, showcasing a blend of welfare politics and cultural engagement. Whether this translates into electoral success remains to be seen — but it undoubtedly sets the stage for an intriguing, high-stakes battle in Bihar and beyond.
