BJP does not require crutches, it runs on its own strength in Maharashtra: Amit Shah

“The BJP has to make its mark in panchayat, zilla parishad and municipal corporations. It should leave no scope for Opposition anywhere. The Opposition should not be seen even with help of binoculars… Maharashtra mein BJP party kisi baisakhi ke adhaar par nahi chalti. BJP apne balbute pe chalti hain (in Maharashtra, the BJP does not operate on crutches… it runs on its own strength),” Shah said.

Shah’s remark assumes significance amid the ongoing conflict within the Mahayuti, when majority of the district units of the BJP have conveyed to state leaders to not have prepoll alliances with the ruling Shiv Sena and the NCP in the local body elections.

However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “Amit Shah was speaking about the organisational strength and growth. It was not about ruling alliance partners. It was a message to the Opposition parties.”

Recalling the party’s evolution from Jan Sangh days and the sacrifices of workers who shaped the organisation, Shah said, “The BJP organisation is a temple for us and not just an office. Here, the karyakarta is shaped through practical work. The BJP office is sacrosanct as we deliberate and strategise policies through politics of principles.”

Taking a dig at the Congress and dynastic politics, Shah said, “The BJP has established politics of performance and not family-based politics. In BJP, even a booth chief rises to become a national party president. I am an example. Here those who perform are rewarded. There is no space for ‘parivarvad’ (dynasty).”

Citing the example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah added, “A child born in a poor family of tea seller rises through his hard work and became the PM… A party that cannot adopt democracy within its internal organisation cannot protect democracy in the country.”

Talking about the 2014 Assembly elections when BJP and Shiv Sena broke their alliance, the Union minister said, “We contested alone and emerged as the single largest party with Devendra Fadnavis as the CM. Earlier, we were in the fourth position in state politics but today we are the number one party.”

Claiming that the party has fulfilled all its ideological commitments such as Ram temple and CAA under the leadership of PM Modi, Shah said, “Now, we are working on Viksit Bharat 2047.”