Will ignore Modi's past if he changes himself: Muslim cleric

Prominent Muslim cleric Maulana Kalbe Sadiq has said BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi's past can be ignored if he changes himself.

"I will not speak for all Muslims, but I am ready to ignore his past if Modi changes himself," the All India Muslim Personal Law Board vice-president said in a statement in Lucknow on Friday.

"... I will personally back Modi if he is willing to change himself," the Shia cleric said, adding "there are differences in words and deeds of Modi and people have lost faith in him after the Gujarat riots."

Asked if the Gujarat chief minister needs to 'apologise' for the riots, Sadiq said rather than tendering an apology he should prove a change through his actions. 

Image: All India Muslim Personal Law Board vice-president Maulana Kalbe Sadiq

Photograph: Courtesy ANI