%u201CMany Muslims are realising that the only truth is development,%u201D said Hatim Modi, a Muslim who works as a defence contractor. %u201CWe have been used by others. We won%u2019t ever forget the riots %u2014 but the reality is about development.%u201D %u201CAnd there are no inflammatory speeches now,%u201D he added. All that does not mean Muslims are expected to vote for Modi in large numbers. But their attitude towards him has softened a bit, and so has Modi, they say. This is also visible hundreds of kilometres to the east from Sikka in the Sabarkantha district, one of the worst affected in the 2002 riots. Khadim Lalpuri, a community leader and Urdu poet, led the Muslim Coordination Committee that organised relief efforts. But the man who used to bitterly slam Modi has watered down his criticism. %u201CIt seems that there have been some changes in Modi,%u201D said Lalpuri in Himmatnagar town. %u201CThe aggressive and tough stand that he had earlier towards Muslims seems to have softened.%u201D In Sikka, not every one is thrilled with the BJP-dominated municipal council. But the opposition has nothing to do the party and its attitude towards Muslim constituents. %u201CWe voted for the BJP hoping for development. But we still do not have jobs. But it%u2019s not about being Hindu or Muslim,%u201D said Ishakbhai Hasan, 45.
