Amit Shah skips mention of Sena as BJP launches poll campaign

Shah, who was visiting the city for the first time after becoming the BJP chief, asked party workers to ensure victory with a majority, using the Uttar Pradeh and Gujarat models followed in the Lok Sabha elections. He said the models worked because people at the booth level worked hard.

The rally organised by the Pune unit of the party was well represented by senior leaders and youth members. “I appeal to people to have faith in Narendra Modi’s leadership and the BJP’s lotus symbol, and give us a chance to rule the state for the next five years. For the last 15 years, you have given the Congress-NCP combine the power and you have suffered, now give us a chance so that we can help restore the lost glory of the state,” Shah said.

Before coming to Pune, he attended the last leg of the state-wide tour of Pankaja Palwe-Munde, daughter of the late Union minister Gopinath Munde, who held a rally at Chondi. Referring to the event, Shah said as a person who understood the pulse of the crowd he could say BJP would surely win the elections this time.

Lauding the Modi government’s 100 days in power, he said finally the country had a prime minister who spoke the language of the people. “Several decision have been undertaken in the last 100 days when we have ascertained our stand — whether it is the border issue or even Kashmir. We are not going to compromise on border security. If there is a firing from the other side of the border, we have asked our soldiers to retaliate. If those on the other side of the border start firing, we will decide when to stop firing on them”.