Union Home Minister Amit Shah has firmly stated that Article 370, which had previously granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will not be reinstated under any circumstances. Speaking at rallies in Maharashtra as the state heads toward crucial assembly elections, Shah took aim at Congress, accusing the party of blocking the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya for years and supporting policies that could affect existing reservations for marginalized communities.
At a rally in Dhule, Shah criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, emphasizing that Muslims will not be granted reservations at the expense of SCs, STs, and OBCs. He added that even future generations of Gandhi’s family would not be able to alter this policy.
The Union minister insisted that Article 370 would not return even if former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi could come back. He further described the opposition alliance of Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena (UBT) as an “Aurangzeb Fan Club” in contrast to the BJP-led coalition, which, he said, upholds the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
In Jalgaon, Shah alleged that if the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition were to win the elections, Maharashtra would become a source of funds for Congress at the national level. He contrasted this with his party’s commitment to development in the state, assuring that a BJP-led government would work in the interest of the people.
Shah also accused Rahul Gandhi of misleading people by holding a blank version of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution and criticized the Congress-led government’s handling of Naxalism and terrorism between 2004 and 2014, describing it as politically motivated.The Union Home Minister expressed confidence that a victory for the BJP and its allies would lead to more welfare initiatives for women, farmers, and other groups. He outlined potential benefits, including increased annual payments to farmers and financial assistance for women.
Targeting NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Shah noted that although Pawar had held important roles both in Maharashtra and at the central level, he had not taken steps to give Marathi language classical status.
At another rally in Parbhani, Shah mocked Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s repeated attempts to build up Rahul Gandhi as a political leader, predicting another electoral defeat for the Congress in Maharashtra.
Shah reiterated that Congress had delayed the Ram temple construction, contrasting it with the BJP’s commitment to building the temple and developing heritage sites. He concluded with confidence that the BJP-led alliance would achieve a decisive victory in the upcoming elections, predicting a complete defeat for the MVA.
