Tyeba Tyeba

Perhaps a single act of kindness has given Prime Minister Narendra Modi something that his party, the BJP, has not been able to achieve so far: entering the good books of Muslims.

By providing medical assistance to 8-year-old Tyeba who has a defective valve in her heart, Modi has won the hearts of lakhs of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh's Braj region, where he is expected to make an appearance on completing one year in power on May 25.

Two weeks ago, Tyeba had written a touching letter to Modi, requesting his help in getting a better treatment which was beyond the financial ability of her parents. Touched by the 8-year-old's appeal, the Prime Minister's Office immediately responded to the letter and arranged for her treatment at New Delhi's GB Pant Hospital, where all the expenses incurred in her treatment will be borne by the government.

Also read: PM Modi saves 8-year-old Agra Muslim girl



Before Modi arrives in Mathura, the BJP is sparing no effort to cash-in on his act of compassion. The party's MLA from Agra, Yogendra Upadhyay, met Tyeba and her parents and assured the family of his help whenever they needed it. He has also invited the family to the May 25 rally, assuring them of even an audience with Modi.

Talking to India Today on Friday, Tyeba's father Abdul Khalid said she has already written another letter to Modi, requesting to meet him when he reaches Mathura. "We hope the Prime Minister will allow her a minute of his time," he said.

Khalid said that although Tyeba's illness is a personal crisis of his family and should not be politicized, he says he is a changed man now. "I refuse to believe that Modi is the cold-blooded murderer of Gujarat 2002 as he has been portrayed by the media," Khalid, who is a footwear worker.

"A man who shows such compassion towards an unknown Muslim girl is a fitting choice to be the Prime Minister of the country," he said. Khalid said he used to be a Samajwadi Party voter, but from now on he will only vote for whoever Modi appeals for.

Khalid also claimed that most of the Muslims he met in Mantola, Nai Ki Mandi and Sadar Bhatti areas of Agra after the news of Modi's extraordinary gesture broke, have said that their opinion about Modi has changed and that they will reconsider who they vote for in the Uttar Pradesh elections, scheduled to be held in 2017.