Noting that there has been a marked positive change in the lives of people at the grassroots as a result of Centre initiatives, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that the BJP will face “no competition” in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and that the people of the country are wholeheartedly supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In an interview, Shah also stated that the people of the country would decide on the main opposition party to the BJP in the 2024 elections and that no party has been designated as such. Taking a shot at the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah stated that while he may not have campaigned in poll-bound states, the outcomes of polls in Tripura, Nagaland, and Meghalaya will demonstrate the opposition party’s strength in areas it formerly governed.
He voiced optimism in the BJP’s performance in upcoming elections in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. Apart from the initiatives taken by the government to strengthen domestic security and minimise reliance on imports in defence, Shah stated that India has achieved progress in many sectors and that the country is the fastest-growing major economy.
He stated that the government’s goals include the country’s progress, security, and making the economy the fastest growing in the world. According to Shah, India’s achievements are recognised across the world.
“During the small period of eight years, we have tried to raise the standard of living of 60 crore poor people in the country and we were also successful. There have been so many achievements. There are major changes in Railways, there is new policy in the space sector and we are preparing to be a leader in the sector, with new policy we are moving ahead in the drone sector,” said Amit Shah in a wide-ranging interview to ANI.
He stated that effective efforts had been undertaken to turn India into a manufacturing centre. Shah stated that efforts towards self-sufficiency in the defence industry and lowering India’s dependency on other nations by 30% in eight years is a significant accomplishment.
“The Left-wing extremism is towards its end. There is control and domination of our agencies on terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. In the Northeast, we have found solutions (to problems) and over 8,000 members of militant organisations have joined the mainstream.”
According to Shah, the central government’s initiatives have effectively reached the grassroots.
“In Tripura, I went for a meal to a house that belonged to a poor family. They showed me the toilet, gas cylinder, electricity and tap water and Ayushman Bharat card…all this reached the poor family household.”
He stated that the woman of the home mentioned a sack of rice and stated that they will be able to sell it since they receive rations from the central government. “The home was plastered, and there was pride,” he explained.
“So there is this change. I feel that in 2024 there is no competition and everyone in the country is moving ahead with PM Modi,” Shah said. Asked about the principal opposition in 2024 and if it was Congress led by Rahul Gandhi, he said it is to be “decided by the people of the country”.
“Till now people have not given the label of principal opposition to any one party in Lok Sabha.”
When asked if Rahul Gandhi will run for Prime Minister following his Bharat Jodo Yatra against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah replied there are elections in three states and it has to be seen what influence they would have. Tripura, Nagaland, and Meghalaya will hold assembly elections later this month.
When asked why Rahul Gandhi hasn’t been campaigning in Tripura, which goes to the polls on February 16, Shah replied it could be a matter of time for the Congress MP, but there should be a result for the party. “Let’s see what the result comes”. He said that the three states holding elections were formerly strong Congress states. “We will see on the day of counting, before 12 PM, a full majority for the BJP,” said Shah.
