What’s Behind the BJP’s Interest in Sufism?

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has recently intensified its outreach to Sufi Muslims, following engagements with the economically and socially marginalised Pasmanda Muslims. The effort seemingly aims to counter the influence of other Islamic sects and to solidify political support within some Muslim communities. But one might ask why it hasn’t embraced a very similar spiritual tradition known as Bhakti.