Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday asserted that Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, would not be restored, even if the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi were to return from heaven.
Shah, speaking at rallies in three cities of Maharashtra ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, accused the Congress party of stalling the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya for years. He also took the opportunity to corner Congress over the issue of Muslim reservation.
Addressing a rally in Dhule, North Maharashtra, Shah said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should remember that even if his “fourth generation were to come”, Muslims would not be granted the same reservations meant for Dalits, tribals, and other backward castes.
“A few days ago, Ulemas (Muslim scholars) met the president of the Congress party and said Muslims should be given reservation (in jobs and education). If reservation has to be given to Muslims, then reservation for SCs/STs/OBCs will have to be cut. Rahul Baba, not only you but even if your four generations were to come, they cannot cut the quota meant for SCs/STs/OBCs and give it to Muslims,” Shah said.
On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, Shah made it clear that the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, carried out by the BJP-led central government, would not be reversed under any circumstances.
“Even if Indira Gandhi were to return from heaven, Article 370 won’t be restored,” he stated.
In his attacks on the opposition, Shah referred to the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) as an "Aurangzeb Fan Club" and stressed that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance adheres to the ideals of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.
At a rally in Jalgaon, Shah warned that if the MVA were to win the November 20 assembly polls, Maharashtra would become an “ATM” for the Congress.
“They (MVA) will withdraw funds from Maharashtra by using the state's resources and send the money to Delhi. In contrast, if the BJP-led Mahayuti forms a government, the Modi administration will ensure greater development for Maharashtra,” he said.
Targeting Rahul Gandhi, the Union minister also accused the Congress leader of misleading the public by waving a copy of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution that had blank pages.
"Recently, Rahul Gandhi was seen waving a copy of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution. He used the same copy while taking the oath in Parliament. When some journalists got their hands on the very copy, it had blank pages. By showing a fake Constitution, Rahul broke the trust of people and insulted Babasaheb. Apparently, you have never read the Constitution, Rahul baba,” Shah remarked.
Shah also dismissed the Congress party’s accusations that the BJP-led government had reduced investment in Maharashtra, countering that the state was currently the top destination in India for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
At his third rally in Parbhani, Shah continued his sharp criticism of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. “Sonia ji tried to land the plane named Rahul Baba 20 times and 20 times the plane crashed. Now again, an attempt is being made to land the plane for the 21st time in Maharashtra. Sonia ji, your ‘Rahul plane’ is going to crash for the 21st time,” he declared.
Shah also accused the Congress of obstructing the construction of the Ram temple and took a jibe at the party’s opposition to the renaming of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
“PM Modi built the Ram temple and also constructed the Kashi Vishwanath corridor. Now, you should be ready to visit Gujarat as the Somnath temple is also being made of gold,” he said.
Shah concluded with a confident prediction for the upcoming assembly poll results. “On November 23, the Maha Vikas Aghadi is going to be wiped out from Maharashtra,” he said.
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