Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a rally in poll-bound Maharashtra’s Hingoli on Friday, launched a fierce attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the opposition alliance. Shah dared Gandhi to praise Veer Savarkar and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, while accusing the Congress-led alliance of disrespecting Maharashtra’s cultural icons.
“Rahul Baba, if you have the courage, praise your friend Uddhav Thackeray’s father, the great Balasaheb Thackeray, for two minutes. Uddhav ji, get Rahul Baba to speak two good words about Veer Savarkar and Balasaheb,” Shah said.
Shah framed the assembly elections in Maharashtra as a choice between the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Veer Savarkar versus the path of Aurangzeb.
“The upcoming election will determine whether Maharashtra follows the path of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Veer Savarkar or the path of Aurangzeb. Our Mahayuti alliance has chosen Shivaji Maharaj and Savarkar without hesitation, while the opposition seems like an Aurangzeb fan club,” he said.
Shah highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s achievements, including the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, contrasting them with alleged Congress obstruction.
Criticism of Rahul Gandhi
Shah took a jibe at Gandhi, comparing him to a repeatedly crashing airplane.
“Sonia ji has tried to land the plane named Rahul Baba 20 times, and each time it has crashed. Now, the 21st attempt is being made in Maharashtra, but it will crash again,” Shah quipped.
He also pointed to the BJP’s recent victory in Haryana as evidence of Congress’s overconfidence leading to failure.
“In the Haryana elections, Rahul Baba claimed victory prematurely, but Congress was wiped out. The same will happen in Maharashtra,” he added.
Ram Temple and Waqf Act Controversy
Shah touched upon the contentious Waqf Board issue, accusing the Congress of opposing reforms.
“For 70 years, Congress blocked the Ram temple’s construction. Modi ji made it a reality. Now, the Congress and its allies oppose amendments to the Waqf Act, but the Modi government will push through these reforms,” he asserted.
Article 370 and NDA Confidence
Shah also dismissed Congress’s resolution to reinstate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Rahul Baba’s Congress passed a resolution to bring back Article 370. Let me make it clear–neither Rahul Gandhi nor his fourth generation will be able to do this,” he declared.
Concluding his speech, Shah expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), citing widespread public support.
“Every sister in Maharashtra stands with Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis. The Mahayuti government will form again to serve the people of Maharashtra,” he said.
Maharashtra will vote on November 20, with counting set for November 23.
