Amit Shah
In a bold assertion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah confidently predicted a resounding victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Speaking at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2024, Shah proclaimed that the BJP would secure a staggering 370 seats, with the NDA surpassing 400 seats, ensuring a third consecutive term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Article 370
Shah attributed this anticipated electoral triumph to the BJP-led government’s decisive move to abrogate Article 370, which conferred special status upon Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed confidence that the electorate would reward the BJP with a landslide victory for this historic decision.
Addressing queries regarding potential additions to the NDA, Shah hinted at the possibility of more parties joining the ruling coalition, albeit with caution, stating that the BJP “believes in family planning but not in politics.” Discussions were ongoing, particularly with parties like the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), but nothing had been finalized.
Bharat Jodo Yatra
Emphasizing the ideological divide in the upcoming polls, Shah framed the election as a choice between development and hollow rhetoric rather than a contest between the NDA and opposition blocs. He dismissed the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asserting that Gandhi had no authority to lead such a march given the historical responsibility of the Congress in India’s partition in 1947.
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Regarding the timing of a white paper presented by the government in Parliament, Shah defended its necessity, asserting the public’s right to understand the challenges inherited from the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He contrasted the economic woes and corruption scandals during the UPA’s tenure with the BJP-led government’s accomplishments in revitalizing the economy and attracting foreign investment.
Ram temple
Shah also addressed the contentious issue of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, underscoring the longstanding sentiment among the Indian populace for its construction. He criticized past political hindrances and emphasized the BJP’s commitment to fulfilling this demand, which he claimed had been stalled for centuries due to appeasement politics and concerns over law and order.
Overall, Shah’s statements underscored the BJP’s confidence in its governance record and its anticipation of a decisive mandate from the Indian electorate in the forthcoming elections.
