Amit Shah rallies support for Mahayuti, confident of victory in upcoming Maharashtra elections

Sangli (Maharashtra) [India], November 8 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a rally in Sangli on Friday, expressed confidence that the Mahayuti alliance would secure victory in the upcoming Maharashtra elections. He urged voters to trust the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, promising progress and development for Maharashtra.
"Listen up, Sangli! Voting is on November 20, and the counting is on the 23rd. A Mahayuti government is going to be formed in Maharashtra. This government, under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Devendra Fadnavis, will be built on the trust that the people of Maharashtra have placed in them, and the NDA will come to power here. The excitement is palpable even in Sangli!" Shah said.
Shah praised Modi's leadership, particularly highlighting the country's economic growth. "Modi ji has raised our country's economy from the 11th to the 5th largest in the world, and by 2027, India will be the world's third-largest economy," he added.
The Home Minister also criticised the Congress-led opposition, accusing them of attempting to divide the nation on caste lines. He raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, stating, "Tell me about Kashmir, does it belong to us or not? Article 370 was removed, is it good or bad?" Shah criticised Congress for vowing to restore Article 370, adding, "Rahul Baba, listen with all your ears open, not only you, but even your fourth generation won't be able to bring it back. Every child in India is ready to fight for Kashmir."
Shah contrasted the NDA's security measures with what he described as Congress's failures during its tenure. "In your (UPA) government, there were regular terrorist attacks. When the BJP was in power, within 10 days, surgical and air strikes were carried out. Modi ji has made our country a safe place," he said.
He also addressed the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. "In Ayodhya, should the Ram Mandir have been built or not? Congress was obstructing it for the last 75 years. In 2019, Modi ji became the PM again, and the court's judgment was implemented. Pran Pratishtha was done, and we could say Jai Shree Ram," Shah added.
Shah criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for disrespecting the Constitution, referencing Gandhi holding up a blank booklet. "Rahul Gandhi, you have disrespected the Constitution and Baba Saheb Ambedkar," Shah said, questioning whether such an attitude towards the Constitution should be trusted.
Promising further development for Maharashtra under the Mahayuti government, Shah highlighted key achievements of the Modi administration, including an allocation of Rs 10,15,900 crore to Maharashtra for various development projects. He pointed to the construction of Asia's largest port in Wadwan and a new airport in Sangli. Shah also mentioned the electrification of railway lines in the region and the launch of two Vande Bharat trains.
Shah also promised continued support for farmers, announcing that Modi had removed income tax on sugar and allocated Rs 15,000 crore for agricultural welfare. He stated, "A Haldi Board has been created, and a branch will open in Sangli." Under the current government, farmers receive Rs 12,000 annually, which could increase to Rs 15,000 if the Mahayuti is voted to power.
Shah further promised healthcare benefits, including an additional Rs 5 lakh coverage for senior citizens under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with votes for all 288 constituencies to be counted on November 23. The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), seeks to reclaim power in the state, challenging the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. (ANI)