Amit Shah: Congress Disintegration, One Nation One Election, and Uniform Civil Code

Home Minister Amit Shah discusses the disintegration of the Congress, the commitment to one nation one election, and the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in India.

New Delhi, February 27: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Congress and the opposition bloc INDIA, stating that they are plagued by disintegration and unable to maintain unity within their ranks. Shah made these remarks during an interview at the News9 Global Summit, shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dealt a significant blow to the Congress in the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha election, where several MLAs of the state's governing party engaged in cross-voting.

One Nation, One Election

Shah reiterated the commitment of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to the concept of "one nation, one election" and announced that the committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind will soon present its report on the matter. The Home Minister, who is also a member of the committee, emphasized the importance of this electoral reform.

Uniform Civil Code

Regarding the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand and its potential nationwide rollout, Shah acknowledged it as a significant social reform. However, he stressed the need for comprehensive discussions and scrutiny, including social, judicial, and constitutional considerations, before its nationwide implementation.

Himachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha Election

Shah dismissed the claims made by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who alleged that five to six MLAs of his party were kidnapped and taken away by the CRPF and the Haryana Police during the Rajya Sabha election. Shah highlighted that the voting process took place inside the assembly under the watchful eyes of cameras, polling agents, and contesting candidates, questioning the feasibility of kidnapping MLAs from within the House. He characterized these claims as "childish talk" and took a dig at the Congress, stating that its votes and MLAs deserted the party without their knowledge.

Criticism of Congress and INDIA Bloc

Shah criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the Union government, particularly on the issue of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He asserted that nobody in the country takes Gandhi seriously, except for the media, and accused the Congress of inflicting maximum injustice on OBCs. Shah dismissed the INDIA bloc, an alliance of seven parties, as a mere media creation and an alliance of power-hungry individuals whose sole ambition is to see their children become prime ministers and chief ministers.

BJP's Openness to New Members

Shah emphasized that the BJP welcomes anyone who agrees with its ideology and clarified that no criminal charges against any leader have been withdrawn after joining the party. He refuted accusations that the BJP uses criminal probes for political purposes, stating that only about five percent of seizures made by the Enforcement Directorate are related to political parties and politicians. Shah characterized these actions as part of a campaign against black money and corruption, citing the recovery of substantial amounts of cash from certain opposition leaders.

BJP's Aim for 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Shah expressed the BJP's goal of securing victories in over 400 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections and praised Prime Minister Modi for his transformative decisions. He highlighted the bold and decisive steps taken by Modi since 2014, emphasizing that the party prioritizes pro-people decisions over populist measures.

Amit Shah's remarks underscore the challenges faced by the Congress and the opposition bloc INDIA in maintaining unity and coherence. His emphasis on electoral reforms, social reforms, and the BJP's commitment to its ideology provide insights into the party's strategies and priorities as it gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.