Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday emphasised that the BJP is committed to preserving reservations and preventing any attempts by Congress to abolish them.
Addressing a rally in Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh, Shah discussed the BJP's manifesto and outlined key promises, including the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code and the introduction of 'One Nation One Election' during Narendra Modi's potential third term as Prime Minister.
During the rally, Shah urged supporters to grant Modi a third term as prime minister in order to eradicate the threat of Naxalism in the region in the next three years.
"Today is the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The entire nation is remembering him for his work toward the upliftment of Dalits, Adivasis, the backward, and the poor. On this day, people work to take the spirit of the Constitution drafted by him to the grassroots but even on such a day the Congress is busy spreading lies," Shah said.
BJP Will Not Let Anything Happen To Reservations: Amit Shah
According to Shah, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge is claiming that if Modi becomes prime minister once more, the Constitution will be changed, and party officials claim that once BJP comes to power, reservations will be eliminated. "I want to make it clear that till BJP is in politics, we will not let anything happen to reservations. We will not allow Congress to end it either. They (Congress) have been doing the business of lies," the Union Home minister outlined.
Shah added that during the 10-year tenure of the NDA government, Naxalism had been eradicated and that Prime Minister Modi had strengthened the nation and protected it from terrorism.
He also said that Khairagarh, which is a part of the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat, where the BJP's Santosh Pandey is running against Chhattisgarh former CM Bhupesh Baghel, Modi had ended Maoist violence during his ten years in office, but the tail still hung in Chhattisgarh.
"During the previous Congress government under Bhupesh Baghel, the fight against Naxalism slowed down in Chhattisgarh. After the BJP came to power, (in the 2023 state assembly polls), Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma (who also holds the Home portfolio) intensified the fight against the menace," he also said.
"More than 54 Naxalites have been neutralised, more than 150 have been arrested and more than 250 have surrendered (after the formation of the Sai government). Within 10 years, PM Modi ended Naxalism from the entire country. However, only its tail is left in Chhattisgarh. Give Modi ji a third term and I assure you we will end Naxalism in three years," he added.
Shah directed his criticism towards former CM Baghel, highlighting the numerous scandals that occurred under Congress' rule. Notably, he pointed out that none of these scandals had religious connotations, subtly alluding to the ongoing investigation into the Mahadev betting app scandal.
"The 2G scam, Commonwealth games scam, submarine scam, and many more scams were committed by Congress but none of these had names related to god. Baghel did not spare the name of Mahadev and committed a scam of Rs 508 crore," Shah further added. "Baghel is not tired of committing coal scams, liquor scams, PSC scams, cow dung scams, DMF scams, Gothan scams (during previous Congress rule in Chhattisgarh). Hence, he has come to you again in Rajnandgaon," the Union home highlighted.
Hitting out at Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, He said, "Keep the anger of Mahadev betting app in mind and press the lotus (BJP symbol) button with such force that the tremors are felt till Italy."
Further slamming Congress, Shah stated that the Modi government had extended the budget for farmers' welfare to Rs 1.25 lakh crore. "I want to remind Rahul Gandhi that the amount during Congress rule was just Rs 22,000 crore," he remarked.
"The Congress ruled the country for 75 years, but never made a tribal the president of the country, whereas PM Modi enhanced their prestige by ensuring Droupadi Murmu occupies the top post. The Modi government abrogated Article 370, ensured the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and carried out surgical strikes to root out terrorism," Shah underscored.
"The Congress says people of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan don't have anything to do with Kashmir. Kharge ji, the youth of Rajnandgaon can sacrifice their lives for Kashmir," he said and went on to ask the gathering whether Article 370 should have been repealed or not. The audience erupted in support, declaring that the removal of Article 370 was the right move.
"The Congress obstructed the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya for the past 70 years and used diversionary tactics, but Modi performed idol consecration on January 22. Ram Navami is on April 17. For the first time, Ram Lalla will celebrate his birthday in a grand temple," Shah highlighted.
He reiterated that terrorists used to enter Pakistan at will and carry out attacks under the UPA government led by Sonia-Manmohan, but under Modi's leadership, airstrikes and surgical strikes were carried out to eradicate terrorists. "If anyone can do the work of taking forward the youth, women, farmers, and the poor of this country, it is Narendra Modi and the name of the party (that can do it) is Bharatiya Janata Party," he added.
Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency will witness voting on April 26.