Nagpur: Union home minister Amit Shah, who addressed two election rallies in Vidarbha on Sunday, tailored his speech with Maharashtra's history and called Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Afzal Khan's alliance, while comparing BJP to an army led by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He also said Congress will give reservation to Muslims at the cost of Dalits and OBCs.
"Today is November 10, and it was on this day that Shivaji Maharaj slayed Afzal Khan. This MVA is like an Afzal Khan-led front. This election is a battle between the path shown by Shivaji Maharaj and one shown by Afzal Khan," said Shah in Malkapur (Buldhana) and Morshi (Amravati).
He added that reservation for OBCs and Dalits is under threat due to Congress. "A group of Muslim ulemas met with state Congress president Nana Patole. They demanded reservation for Muslims, and Patole even gave them a letter agreeing to the demand," Shah said. He then asked the crowd if that is what they wanted. "Do you think Muslims must be given reservation? Do you think reservation of OBCs and Dalits should be reduced?" he said. After a resounding ‘No' from the crowd, Shah said, "Don't worry, it won't happen because Congress won't come to power. Congress has always worked against OBCs."
Shah said Maharashtra has benefited immensely after PM Narendra Modi came to power. "During the Manmohan-Sonia-Pawar tenure, Maharashtra got a total of Rs1.5 lakh crore. And in the last 10 years, Modi ji has given Rs10 lakh crore to Maharashtra. Even now, our sisters are getting Rs1,500 monthly, and this will be increased to Rs2,100," said Shah.
The Union minister said that farmers will get higher MSP rates, and even the bonus will be increased. Shah said, "We will also give 25 lakh jobs every year to our youth, apart from monetary help for students. Even senior citizens will get health insurance benefits."
For Buldhana district, Shah said Modi has provided drinking water to four lakh homes, apart from construction of 37,000 houses. "Our PM also ensured the construction of 2.38 lakh toilets to provide all-round development," he said.