Amit Shah On ABP: In an exclusive interview with ABP News, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed various issues ahead of the upcoming elections, shedding light on the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) strategies and responses to opposition criticism.


Responding to queries about the BJP's "400 paar" slogan and whether it has led to low voter turnout so far, Shah confidently stated, "Within two phases, the BJP and its allies have surpassed the 100 mark, racing far ahead. What will the opposition say, that we are heading towards defeat? Supporters of BJP and Modi Ji are casting their vote with fervor. If there is any apathy, it is within the INDI alliance camp. Every person voting for Modi is ready to contribute to this national endeavor. The BJP and its supporters are casting their votes in full force. There are significant issues concerning the nation, and we have brought about changes in the lives of 80 crore people."


Shah emphasised the government's achievements, highlighting the distribution of free gas connections, homes, rations, and vaccines. He reiterated the promise of India becoming the third-largest economy globally under a prospective third term of the Modi government. He also stressed the government's commitment to tackling terrorism, and naxalism, ensuring "complete control" over internal and external security, and improving women's safety.


Shah On Opposition Allegations Of 'Changing' Constitution


On the issue of BJP candidates promising changes to the constitution after securing a majority, Shah defended the party's actions, stating, "We have had a majority for ten years to change the constitution. How have we misused that absolute majority? We have used the absolute majority to abrogate Article 370, abolish triple talaq, introduce the CAA, and build the Ram Mandir. Rahul ji starts making baseless allegations... you can't just pick up anything and interpret it however you like, you have to apply your mind. The people of the country have given us a full majority. We have strengthened the poor, Dalits, and tribals, fought for their rights, and brought about results. Modi ji has given constitutional recognition to the backward classes and provided reservation. The Congress party keeps making rubbish allegations."


ALSO READ | 'Don't Have Moral Energy To Resign Even After Getting Arrested': Amit Shah Attacks Kejriwal On Corruption


Shah Accuses Congress Of 'Diluting' ST-SC-OBC Reservations


Addressing reservations, Shah accused the Congress party of playing divisive politics, stating, "The Congress party has indulged in divisive politics for its vote bank. They introduced reservations for Muslims in Karnataka. Can all people of one religion be classified as backward, that too without any survey? They did it in Hyderabad. Whose percentage was affected? OBCs' percentage was cut. The Congress party has worked to dilute ST-SC-OBC reservations by giving Muslim reservations."



Rejecting reservations based on religion, Shah stated firmly, "We do not accept reservations on the basis of religion. It is unconstitutional, and we do not accept it."


Shah criticised the Congress manifesto, questioning its effectiveness, and compared it to the BJP's transparent approach. "The manifesto of Congress said that we will give importance to personal law, there is only one personal law in the country, Muslim personal law. They are afraid that is why they do not say that we will bring UCC. We brought UCC to Uttarakhand. That is why we say that this is Sharia. What is the meaning of personal law in any country? It is the mandate by constitution makers to bring it. They (Congress) are retracting because of vote bank politics, they want minority votes, which is why they do not dare to do this. We have said in our 'Sankalp Patra' that the time has come to impose UCC in the entire country."


Regarding the timeline of bringing UCC, he stressed, "UCC is not a matter of how long it will take to bring it, it is a matter of introducing it after full debate. There should be a legal, political, and social debate on it."


He also expressed disappointment with the CPIM's promise to end nuclear weapons, terming it a risk to national security, and questioned why the Congress party did not object to it.


Amit Shah On Opposition's 'Washing Machine' Barb At BJP


On the Opposition's BJP "washing machine" barb, he remarked, "This means that your clothes are dirty and no one is clean, the public knows everything... Not a single BJP government has made any attempt to save anyone from the law." When asked about former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, who is accused of corruption in the alleged Adarsh Housing Scam, joining the BJP, Shah called it a decision of the local party unit, emphasising that no cases have been dropped against anyone joining the saffron outfit.


Regarding the PMLA Law, Shah emphasised the need to maintain its stringency, stating, "The government and the ED should consider the Supreme Court's comments, such as determining a time limit, but the laws of the ED should not be diluted. There should be no leniency in cases of corruption."


Dismissing allegations of the Modi government attempting to suppress opposition, Shah referenced the Emergency period, highlighting the resilience of opposition parties during that time.


The Lok Sabha elections 2024 are being conducted in seven phases and the counting of votes is slated for June 4. The first and second phases were held on April 19 and April 26 while the remaining phases are scheduled for May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.