Union Home Minister Amit Shah has emphasized that the BJP is poised for significant victories in states governed by the opposition, attributing this to a "positive mandate" for Prime Minister Narendra Modi stemming from the Lok Sabha elections. He criticized the opposition's disparagement of the Election Commission, branding it as a tactic to deflect attention from their imminent defeat.
In a recent interview with PTI, Shah maintained that his party refrained from running campaigns based on religion, although he acknowledged advocating against reservation for Muslims and championing the abolition of Article 370 and the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code. He dismissed allegations against the Election Commission regarding the management of polling data and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), arguing that similar procedures were followed in past assembly elections where the BJP faced losses.
“If those elections were fair, then this election is also fair. When you see defeat, you start crying in advance and try to find excuses to go abroad. This can’t go on and on. They want to go on vacation on June 6. So, they are telling something or the other,” he said.
Shah rebuffed the opposition's concerns about the electoral process, alleging that they aimed to mask Rahul Gandhi's shortcomings. He asserted that the opposition consistently raises objections after losing elections, insinuating a lack of rigging in EVMs.
With six phases of the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls completed, Shah reiterated the BJP's confidence in surpassing the 400-seat mark, emphasizing that this assertion is not mere rhetoric but a calculated objective. He confidently stated that the BJP will also form governments in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh.
He said, “We will surely cross 400 seats. We will also form governments in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.”
Responding to queries about the BJP's reliance on Modi and the advantage the relatively weaker opposition gains from alliances, Shah reframed it as a positive endorsement of the ruling alliance's performance.
“This is not a negative vote. Please accept one thing. This is a positive vote. We will get people’s support where (in states) we are in power. And mark my words…where we are not, we will be getting a bigger mandate. So this is a positive mandate for the work of the central government,” he said.
Shah attributed Modi's popularity to his fulfillment of the BJP's core ideological agenda, such as welfare initiatives for the poor, national security measures, the revocation of Article 370, the push for a Uniform Civil Code, women's reservation, and the construction of the Ram temple. He accused the opposition of misleading the public regarding Muslim reservation, highlighting the BJP's implementation of such quotas in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
“If they divide the truth in pieces to mislead people, then isn’t it our duty to put these pieces together and inform people,” he said
Regarding the Congress's promises, Shah criticized their history of making populist pledges without fulfillment. He challenged the Congress to deliver on its assurances, particularly in states where it holds power.
“You might have heard and understood Rahul Gandhi’s X-ray speech. So you want X-ray of what? And if you want to distribute it equally, then who will you distribute to? Manmohan Singh Ji said minorities are their priority. What do you make of this,” he asked when questioned about the Congress’s allegations against Modi.
Looking ahead to significant gains in West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, Shah projected the BJP's ascension in state assemblies and Lok Sabha seats. He cited dissatisfaction with the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and highlighted issues of corruption and appeasement politics.
In states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where the BJP historically struggled, Shah expressed optimism about increasing the party's vote share and potentially securing seats, signaling a strategic focus on expanding the party's footprint in these regions.
“It is a very tight contest. We have a new team. I will not make an estimate with figures. But our seats and vote share will increase and we will certainly lay a strong foundation in Tamil Nadu. We can open our account in Kerala. We are in a good position in three seats.”
