Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses Article 370, Muslim reservations, and Ram temple construction while intensifying BJP’s campaign for Maharashtra polls.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah firmly stated that Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will never be reinstated, declaring that not even former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi “could bring it back.” Addressing several rallies in Maharashtra just days before the assembly elections, Shah criticized Congress for its stand on Muslim reservations and alleged that the party delayed the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya for years.
During his rallies, Shah specifically targeted the Congress and its MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) ally, Shiv Sena (UBT), accusing the opposition of vote-bank politics and neglecting public welfare. He cited BJP’s achievements, emphasizing their dedication to development and maintaining India’s security. He also addressed the issue of reservations, arguing that quotas reserved for Dalits, tribals, and OBCs would remain protected under BJP, even as Congress allegedly attempts to include reservations for Muslims.
Amit Shah on the Future of Article 370 and Congress’ Role
Amit Shah reaffirmed the government’s stance on Kashmir, highlighting that Article 370, removed in 2019, will never return. Shah’s statements were a direct response to Congress’s recent advocacy for the reinstatement of the article, as well as Rahul Gandhi’s stance on issues such as minority reservations.
The Union minister further took aim at Rahul Gandhi, stating, “Even if your fourth generation comes into power, reservations for Dalits, tribals, and backward classes will not be reduced for Muslim inclusion.” Shah claimed Congress’s tactics are “politics of deception,” remarking that the MVA would use Maharashtra’s resources to fund Congress initiatives if they won the polls.
Strong Criticism Against Congress, NCP, and Promises for Maharashtra
At rallies across Maharashtra, Shah dubbed the MVA as an “Aurangzeb Fan Club,” contrasting it with BJP’s “patriotic” agenda inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Veer Savarkar. Shah also took aim at senior Congress and NCP leaders, arguing that despite decades in power, they had not achieved significant milestones like granting classical language status to Marathi. He contrasted this with BJP’s commitments, stating that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, temples like Ayodhya’s Ram temple and Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath corridor are being restored with dedication.
In his rallies, Shah urged Maharashtra voters to support the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, claiming that each vote could enhance welfare programs for women and farmers in the state. He emphasized Prime Minister Modi’s promises, calling them as solid as “patthar ki lakeer” (etched in stone), while claiming Congress often fails to fulfill pre-election promises.
As the elections draw near, Shah’s rallying cries aim to mobilize support for BJP’s Mahayuti front, with the polls expected to be a crucial indicator of public sentiment in Maharashtra.