Cong ‘vote katwa’ party, main fight with SP: Shah
LUCKNOW: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Friday said the saffron party’s main battle in the forthcoming UP assembly polls would be with the Samajwadi Party.
Replying to questions on India TV’s show here, he ruled out any competition from the Congress and dubbed it as ‘vote katwa’ (one which eats into votes) party.
On the ongoing feud in the ruling Samajwadi Party and BJP’s role in it, Shah said: “I have no role in the crisis. Neither Shivpal took my name or anyone else. This fight in the SP is for distribution of wealth which they have amassed through corruption.”
On the question of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra campaigning for Congress in UP, Shah said the BJP was not afraid of her.
Attacking the SP and the BSP, Shah said both parties were responsible for all the ills in the state. “In the last 15 years, the SP and the BSP governments in Uttar Pradesh have failed to do anything for the state. While during this phase other states have progressed a lot,” said Shah.
Shah also refuted chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s allegations that the Modi government had slashed UP’s share of central funds.
“Akhilesh Yadav must compare funds allocated to UP during the 10 year UPA regime with the funds allocated by the NDA government at the Centre. Modiji has allocated `1 lakh crore more funds to UP as compared to the UPA government,” he said.
Further attacking the SP and the BSP, Shah said both these parties had supported the UPA government during its 10 year rule at the Centre which looted more than `12 lakh crore.
Pitching the BJP as the only party that can protect Dalit pride, party national president Amit Shah accused the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) and Opposition Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) of cheating and exploiting the community.
Shah was addressing a rally at the Kanshiram Smriti Upvan ground, apparently in a bid to target UP minister Azam Khan who purportedly referred to Dalit icon Dr BR Ambedkar as a ‘land grabber’ on September 5.
“While the government of the party led by Netaji Mulayam Singh tortured and ridiculed Dalits, Behenji exploited them.
It was a BJP government that installed Ambedkar’s picture in Parliament and it’s due to the BJP’s efforts that Ambedkar was recognised with Bharat Ratna AMIT SHAH, BJP national president
As far as we are concerned, we are developing seven places associated with Dr Ambedkar, right from his birthplace to the one where he studied in London and where he breathed his last,” Shah said.
He added, “It was a BJP government that installed Ambedkar’s picture in Parliament and it’s due to the BJP’s efforts that Ambedkar was recognised with Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest honour.”
Shah also said only a BJP government could ensure ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ (inclusive development).
“Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party can’t ensure that. Behenji is incapable of replacing the SP. Only a BJP government can do that. That is why I have come to appeal to you to help BJP come to power with a two-thirds majority,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the Congress, the BJP president accused the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru of conspiring to defeat Ambedkar in the 1952 elections. Slogans such as ‘Babasaheb ka mission adhoora, Bhajapa karegi poora (only BJP can fulfil Ambedkar’s equality-for-all mission)’were heard during the rally.
Under Shah’s watch, the BJP is trying to target Mayawati’s loyal Dalit vote bank. The party chief is looking to connect with 21% Dalits in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. The programme was conducted by former BSP leader Jugal Kishore.
Kishore had joined the BJP last year in Delhi on January 15, Mayawati’s birthday. Also seen on the stage were recent converts such as former BSP MP Brijesh Pathak and BSP lawmaker Romi Sahni among others.