Monday, 23 December 2024
Monday, 23 December 2024
As Maharashtra’s assembly elections approach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah are laying down their agenda with emphasis on issues like Pakistan, Article 370, Hindutva, and development. Their speeches focus on national security, cultural pride, and ideological allegiance, framing these points as central to Maharashtra's future.
Pakistan and national security
Union minister Amit Shah set a firm tone by bringing Pakistan into the conversation, underscoring the BJP’s stance on national security. He portrayed the BJP as the only party capable of ensuring safety and a strict stance against terrorism, contrasting their actions with what he described as Congress’ leniency during the UPA years. He pointed to the Uri and Pulwama incidents, after which the BJP launched surgical strikes targeting terrorists in Pakistan, a response Shah contrasted with what he described as the Congress’ ineffective approach.
"During the UPA government of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, terrorist attacks were frequent, but after Modi became PM, the incidents at Uri and Pulwama led to surgical strikes that wiped out terrorists in Pakistan," Shah said. “When Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the decision to abrogate Article 370, I brought the bill (in Parliament) but Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, and (M K) Stalin opposed the move,” Shah said, portraying the BJP as resolute and unwavering in its Opposition to any threat from Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, the Congress and its allies should not encourage the 'Pakistan agenda' and speak the language of separatists. The agenda won’t succeed till he has people’s blessings, said Modi.
Article 370 and the battle for Kashmir
Article 370’s abrogation also featured prominently in PM Modi and Amit Shah’s speeches. PM Modi iterated that the BJP remains opposed to any restoration of Article 370, positioning the party as defenders of a unified Indian constitution. He referenced a recent resolution passed in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly calling for Article 370’s return, accusing Congress and its allies of aligning with separatist agendas.
"Only Ambedkar’s constitution will be followed in J&K," Modi asserted, underlining the BJP’s stance.
Amit Shah continued on this front, targeting Congress for its historical opposition to the abrogation.
"I am telling you Rahul baba that neither you nor your fourth generation will be able to restore Article 370," Shah said. He emphasised the BJP’s commitment to preserving Kashmir’s security and national unity, declaring, "Every child of the country is ready to fight for Kashmir."
Savarkar, Bal Thackeray, and the dare to Congress
PM Modi sought to highlight VD Savarkar and Bal Thackeray’s legacies as essential to the state’s identity. He issued a challenge to Congress, daring its leader Rahul Gandhi to publicly praise Savarkar and Thackeray. Modi argued that their contributions to Maharashtra and the nation were unparalleled, accusing Congress of a lack of respect for their legacies.
"For us, Marathi history, culture is a centre of faith. Savarkar is a source of inspiration," he said, positioning Savarkar as a symbol of cultural pride.
"I want to dare Congress' allies to make the Congress yuvraj speak 15 minutes in praise of Savarkar and his sacrifices for the country. Similarly, the yuvraj should also be made to speak in praise of Balasaheb Thackeray," he said, putting Congress’ allies in Maharashtra to the test, particularly Shiv Sena (UBT).
Amit Shah attacked Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray for aligning with groups and ideologies he described as oppositional to Hindutva.
"You are sitting with those who protected the tombs of Afzal Khan and Aurangzeb," Shah declared, addressing Thackeray’s alliance with Congress and the NCP after the 2019 Maharashtra elections.
He added, "You are sitting with those who fed biryani to (26/11 Mumbai terror attack convict) Ajmal Kasab. And you are sitting with those who question the existence of Lord Ram. You should be ashamed."
The OBC equation: Dividing or defending?
PM Modi also tackled the issue of caste-based unity, accusing Congress of attempting to divide the OBC community for political gain. He described the party as a 'par-jeevi' (parasite) reliant on divisive tactics to maintain power.
"It wants to weaken OBCs and destroy their unity so that doors to power open for them again," Modi claimed. He urged OBCs to remain united, using the phrase "Ek hai toh safe hai" (We are safe if we are united) to emphasise the BJP’s message of solidarity across caste lines.
Economic growth and Maharashtra's development ranking
Turning to the state’s economy, Shah countered NCP leader Sharad Pawar’s claim that foreign direct investment (FDI) was bypassing Maharashtra. He accused Pawar of spreading falsehoods, stating, “Sharad Pawar ji, at this age also does not refrain from speaking lies. He says that investment is not coming to Maharashtra.” Shah credited the Mahayuti government, led by Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, for turning around the state’s economic fortunes and improving its development ranking after what he described as a decline under the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s rule.
"The Congress got 60 years to rule but could not change the face of the nation. It gave unemployment and starvation. Under PM Modi, people have got good governance and development. If a leader is good, things will go the right way," Union minister Nitin Gadkari said.
