CAA Will be Implemented Defore Lok Sabha Polls, Amit Shah Big Claim

Defense News ,India :- In a significant declaration at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2024, Union Home Minister Amit Shah confidently projected the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) securing 370 seats, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) surpassing 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Shah expressed conviction that the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would form the government for a third consecutive term.

Shah attributed this optimism to the BJP's decision to abrogate Article 370, emphasizing that the move had resonated with the public. "So we believe that the people of the country will bless the BJP with 370 seats and the NDA with over 400 seats," he stated, highlighting the party's commitment to its core ideology.

Addressing speculation about potential additions to the NDA, Shah hinted at ongoing discussions with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), led by Jayant Choudhary, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and other regional parties. He cleverly remarked, "The BJP believes in family planning but not in politics," indicating openness to expanding the coalition.

When pressed about talks with SAD, Shah revealed, "Talks are going on but nothing has been finalized." This ambiguity suggests the fluidity of political alliances as the election season unfolds.

Shah dismissed the idea of the 2024 polls being a straightforward contest between the NDA and the opposition bloc, asserting that it was a choice between development and mere slogans. This emphasis on development aligns with the BJP's narrative of transformative governance.

Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, Shah criticized the march, stating that Rahul Gandhi had no right to lead it due to his party's role in the country's partition in 1947. This exchange highlights the ongoing political sparring between the BJP and Congress.

Explaining the timing of a white paper presented in Parliament, Shah justified the necessity, claiming that the country had a right to know about the situation left behind by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) when it lost power in 2014. He highlighted the economic challenges and corruption prevailing at that time, contrasting it with the current scenario, where the BJP government claims to have revived the economy and eliminated corruption.

Shah also touched upon the contentious issues of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). On the Ram temple, he blamed politics of appeasement for delaying its construction, while on the CAA, he assured its implementation before the Lok Sabha polls, emphasizing its humanitarian purpose to provide citizenship to those facing persecution.

Discussing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Shah positioned it as a constitutional agenda, originally signed by Jawaharlal Nehru and others. He criticized the Congress for ignoring it due to appeasement but indicated that its implementation in Uttarakhand signifies a significant social change. Shah underscored the need for discussions and legal scrutiny, asserting that a secular country cannot have religion-based civil codes.

As the political landscape evolves in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, Shah's declarations offer a glimpse into the BJP's strategy, potential alliances, and key policy priorities.