A nationwide campaign should be launched to unify secular votes to prevent controversial BJP leader Narendra Modi — who gained notoriety for allegedly sponsoring the carnage of Muslims in Gujarat – from taking over power in New Delhi, a senior Muslim leader has said.

“If Modi becomes the prime minister, it will spell the end of secularism in India, because he stands for communalism. He has been selected as the BJP candidate for the next prime minister not because of his administrative capabilities,” said Indian Muslim League leader and MP E.T. Mohammed Basheer.

Speaking to Arab News, Basheer said Modi would try to promote communalism throughout India like he did it in Gujarat being its chief minister. “His objective is very clear. It’s not a hidden agenda,” he said referring to the anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat.

Basheer said he believed only the Congress Party could prevent Modi from becoming the next prime minister. “We cannot see any other political force, including the so called third alliance, to confront the challenge posed by the Bharatiya Janata Party,” he said.

Basheer, whose Muslim League supports the Congress-led United Progressive Party alliance, said the UPA would retain power in the next Parliamentary election, which would be held within a few months.

Asked about the League’s efforts to unify Muslim votes in the country, Basheer said: “We need to unify not only Muslim votes but also the votes of all Indians who believe in secularism. Muslims in India are keen on consolidating the votes of secular forces in the country.”

He described Muslims in Kerala as a fast-developing community. “In the past, it was difficult of see a graduated Muslim girl in the Malappuram district of Kerala. Now Muslim girls constitute about 75 percent of students on the district’s campuses. There are several Muslim-run educational institutions in the state. They will play a big role in further empowering the community.”