Union Home Minister Amit Shah kickstarted his electoral campaign for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat on Friday, invoking the spirit of nationalism and urging BJP workers to mobilize voters for the forthcoming elections.
Shah's campaign began with an auspicious visit to a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in Ahmedabad, where he sought divine blessings accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
During his address, Shah emphasized the significance of the upcoming elections, urging party cadres to approach every voter and highlight the importance of the nation over partisan politics.
He underscored the transformative journey of the BJP, from humble beginnings to its current stature, where individuals from ordinary backgrounds have ascended to key positions in governance.
Reflecting on his political journey, Shah reminisced about his initial foray into politics, recalling his first campaign nearly three decades ago after seeking blessings at the same Hanuman temple.
He expressed gratitude to BJP leadership, including party president J P Nadda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for renominating him from Gandhinagar, a constituency with a rich political legacy.
Shah credited PM Modi's leadership for steering the country towards prosperity and security, citing decisive actions against terrorism, Naxalism, and border intrusions.
He recounted the firm stance taken during the Doklam standoff with China, symbolizing India's newfound assertiveness on the global stage under Modi's leadership.
Highlighting the broader vision for the upcoming elections, Shah stressed the importance of securing victory in over 400 seats across the country, asserting that the "Modi wave" transcends regional boundaries and resonates with voters nationwide.
In the 2019 elections, Shah secured a resounding victory from the Gandhinagar constituency, defeating his nearest rival by a margin of over 5 lakh votes. The BJP's sweeping success in Gujarat, capturing all 26 Lok Sabha seats, underscored the party's dominant position in the state.
As Shah embarks on his electoral campaign, the opposition Congress, in collaboration with AAP, is yet to announce its candidate for the Gandhinagar seat, setting the stage for a keenly contested electoral battle in the region.