This election is Rahul Gandhi versus Narendra Modi, ‘jihad’ versus ‘vikas’: Amit Shah

Speaking in Telangana, Home Minister says contest between ‘vote for jihad’ and ‘vote for vikas’

Amit Shah expressed confidence that while the BJP won four Lok Sabha seats in Telangana in 2019, this time, it would win 10. (X/@BJP4India)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Thursday said the 2024 Lok Sabha poll is a “Rahul Gandhi versus Narendra Modi election”.

“The 2024 election is a Rahul Gandhi versus Narendra Modi election. It is an election that pits ‘vote for jihad’ against ‘vote for vikas’,” Shah said at a public meeting in Telangana’s Bhongir Lok Sabha constituency, which votes on May 13.

He also framed the ongoing parliamentary election as a contest between Modi’s “Bharatiya guarantee” against Rahul’s “Chinese guarantee”.

Referring to the Congress, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) as a “triangle of appeasement”, he said, “These people don’t allow the celebration of ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’ (September 17). These people oppose the CAA. These people want to run Telangana on the basis of Sharia and Quran.”

The Union minister expressed confidence that while the BJP won four Lok Sabha seats in Telangana in 2019, this time, it would win 10. “This double-digit score here will help PM Modi cross 400 seats (in Parliament). The Congress is spreading lies, claiming that if PM Modi becomes PM again, he will end reservations. But PM Modi has been leading this country for the last 10 years, and he did not end any reservation. It is the Congress party that has taken away reservations of SCs, STs, and OBCs by giving four per cent to Muslims. If BJP wins, we will increase reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs,” Shah said.

He also said that Modi made efforts to boost the textile industry of Bhongir. The government’s textile policy is aimed at strengthening the system at all levels – from “farm to fibre”, fibre to factory, factory to fashion, and fashion to exports.

Further criticising the Congress, Shah said the party does not fulfil its promises. “PM Modi abides by what he says and promises. The Congress party stopped the construction of Ram Mandir for 70 years. In just five years, PM Modi won the case, performed bhoomi pooja and did the pran prathistha ceremony. PM Modi also abrogated Article 370 so that our flag keeps flying in Kashmir forever,” he said.

Sreenivas Janyala

Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance. Expertise and Experience Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues: High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy. Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules. Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes. Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak. Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More