Ranchi: The state BJP leadership seems keen on having a qualified Muslim mukhiya, Misfiqua (28), on board as party spokesperson to increase the party's acceptability among minority youths and women.
Highly placed sources in state BJP told this reporter that Misfiqua's name as spokesperson had been recommended to the party's central leadership in Delhi. Chief minister Raghubar Das is also learnt to be impressed by the managerial skills and progressive outlook of the former AIIMS research fellow who joined the BJP last year.
If her name is approved, Elami panchayat (Pakur) mukhiya Misfiqua will join the ranks of other state BJP spokespersons J.B. Tubid, Pratul Nath Shahdeo, Rajesh Shukla, Praveen Prabhakar and Deen Dayal Barnwal.
Her name first cropped up three months ago, when BJP national organisational secretary Ramlal directed the state party unit to appoint at least one woman as spokesperson, a senior party leader said on Sunday.
"Discussions are on to appoint more party spokespersons. Misfiqua's name has been recommended. As a spokesperson, she can be a modern and moderate face. Right from the day she joined the BJP, she has been active. She can emphatically explain minority issues and what the state government and the BJP has done for them (Muslims)," the BJP veteran said.
Biotech student Misfiqua was a junior research fellow working on cancer drugs in AIIMS, New Delhi, when she came home in August 2015 to prepare for her UPSC (Mains) and was drawn to the local body election that she won. Joining the BJP, she actively campaigned during the Littipara bypoll last year, in which however BJP's Hemlal Murmu lost to JMM's Simon Marandi.
Asked about her chances, Misfiqua refused to comment. "I'm just a grassroots party worker for women's literacy and self-employment and I've motivated hundreds of Muslim women and youths to join the BJP. I joined the BJP as the state government is doing a lot for Santhal Pargana where I come from. I also find merit in the Narendra Modi government's policies for minorities. I started an awareness campaign for Muslim women on how the ban on instant triple divorce ban (which the Modi government introduced) helps them," she said.
But not all in the BJP are happy at the buzz over Misfiqua.
"In the BJP, members have to make their way up gradually. She (Misfiqua) joined the BJP last year and is still to fully grasp the party ideology. Many women workers in BJP are active for years. Misfiqua's sudden elevation (as spokesperson) may start a new precedence in the BJP that may not be a good thing," said a BJP veteran.
