We will come to power in Karnataka with 130 seats or more, says Amit Shah

BENGALURU: BJP national president Amit Shah on Thursday exuded confidence on the last day of campaigning for the Karnataka elections 2018 and said that the party will come back to power with an absolute majority winning at least 130 seats.
"Over the last one month I have travelled over 50,000 kilometers in the state. The media has been constantly quizzing me about the number of seats BJP will win at the elections. Today, based on the feedback from the BJP workers, I can confidently tell you that we will come to power with 130 seats and more,” said Amit Shah.

On whether the BJP is open to an alliance with the JD(S) if it does not secure absolute majority, Amit Shah dismissed the possibility and said there is no question of an alliance when the party is confident of securing absolute majority on its own.

Questioned if the move by BS Yeddyurappa to announce the date of his swearing-in ceremony was BJP's “over confidence” on display, Amit Shah said it was not Yeddyurappa's over-confidence but he was also certain about the BJP coming to power.

Meanwhile, responding to a question on whether Yeddyurappa will remain the chief minister for the entire five-year term, considering his age and the previous experience of three chief ministers of the BJP between 2008 and 2013, Amit Shah said there was no doubt that Yeddyurappa will be the CM for the entire tenure.

“The last time, at the Centre, there was a government which was keen on bringing down state governments. This time, the Narendra Modi government at the centre will stand by Yeddyurappa like a mountain and he will complete his five-year term if BJP comes to power,” said Shah.

The BJP national president also hinted that the “rising star” of the Karnataka BJP, B Sreeramulu may very well become the deputy chief minister if the party comes to power.

“I would only say this much, when we achieve victory at the May 12 elections, all the leaders from the party will sit together and have an absolute frank discussion on all possiblities,” he said.

Retorting on the statement by all India Congress committee (AICC) president Rahul Gandhi of becoming the prime ministerial aspirant of the Congress party: “There is no harm in him aspiring. His aspirations of becoming the prime minister has as much a chance as that of any common man at this point in time.”

Shah admitted that the Karnataka elections was a fight of ideologies, but said that the ideology of the Congress was to join hands with communal forces and anti-national outfits like the Socialist Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and the Popular Front of India (PFI).

My word is final, BJP has nothing to do with Janaradhana Reddy: Amit Shah

Responding to a question on whether the admission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Ballari that the district was evidence of illegal mining was an admission of guilt that it was the party leaders who were involved in it at its height, BJP national president Amit Shah said: “None of our current BJP leaders, candidates or campaigners are involved in illegal mining.”

He once again reiterated that his word is final on the BJP’s association with Gali Janardhana Reddy, despite the party state president B S Yeddyurappa giving a public statement that he has forgiven Janardhana Reddy and was an integral part of the party campaign.

“Let anybody say anything. My word is final and I say that the BJP has nothing to do with Janardhana Reddy,” said Shah.

Kannada pride has never been celebrated by Siddramaiah govt: Amit Shah

Amit Shah slammed the Congress government and said Siddaramaiah has all along been harping upon the Kannada pride but had never bothered to celebrate it during his tenure.

“When they speak of ‘Kannad pride’, there are several big names who have contributed towards it including people like Hakka-Bukka of the Vijayanagar empire, Ranu Chennamma, Veera Madhakari Nayaka, Kempegowda, Kuvempu and Da Ra Bendre. But instead the government decided to celebrate the jayanthis of Tipu Sultan and Bahamani sultanate. The people have realised this farce that the Congress is playing for votebank and minority appeasement politics,” he said.