BJP president Amit Shah addresses a rally in Chhattisgarh on Sunday. (Twitter/@AmitShah)
BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday asserted that the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the reservation system in jobs will continue till the BJP-led government is in power at the Centre. While addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh where Assembly elections are slated for later in the year, the senior party leader urged people to remain wary of Congress’ efforts to spread “lies” about the Narendra Modi government ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year.
“In the coming days, the Congress will spread different types of lies to mislead people. Sometimes they will say the SC/ST Act is being abolished, on other occasions, they will say the reservation (system) was being scrapped. I want to clearly say that the SC/ST Act and reservation will remain in force till the BJP government is in power,” Shah, who was addressing the gathering in PG College grounds, said.
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Upping its ante against Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his party’s performance in 55 years, Shah questioned him for seeking an account of the work done by the BJP-led government in the last four years.
“Rahul baba, why are you asking for our account of four years. We do not need to give you any account. We will give an account of every minute and every paisa to the people when we go to them to ask for votes,” Shah said.
Stating that the country lagged in development for 55 years under the Congress’ rule, the BJP leader asked, “Your family governed the country for four generations and 55 years. Why has there not been any development?”
Shah also said that Gandhi must look within before seeking an account of the work done by the BJP. “With the onset of summer, they rush to Europe and Italy for vacations. When Rahul baba comes here to ask for votes, will you not ask him about the dismal record of his party?” he said at the rally.
While lauding the Centre over the 2016 surgical strikes, Shah said, “During the Congress rule, cross-border firing was happening every other day, but no befitting reply was given. Every other day they used to strike us. 12 of our jawans were killed in Uri (in a terror attack), they did not even get a chance to retaliate. However, soon after, Modiji sent our jawans for surgical strikes in Pakistan to take revenge.”
BJP chief Amit Shah also said that Rahul Gandhi must look within before seeking an account of the work done by the BJP. (Source: Twitter/Amit Shah)
The BJP supremo also exuded confidence in winning the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections. He said, “BJP will win the Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh with a larger margin. We will win 65 seats in the 90-member Assembly. The Congress will be decimated.” He added, “The Raman Singh-led government in the state will retain power.”
Prior to addressing the crowd, Shah held a road show at Ambikapur town. He was accorded a rousing reception by a large number of party leaders and workers when he commenced the roadshow in the afternoon from Kharsiya Naka area.
Prior to addressing the crowd, Shah held a road show at Ambikapur town. (Source: Twitter/Amit Shah)
The road show is a part of the ‘Vikas Yatra’ campaign being undertaken by the CM ahead of the assembly polls in the state by the end of this year. The road show, which lasted about 45 minutes, covered a distance of around 5 kms, passing through Agrasen Chowk, Jaistambh Chowk, Mahamaya Chowk, Gandhi Chowk and Ambedkar Chowk. It culminated at PG College grounds.