In a fervent address at a public meeting in Daulatpur in Rae Bareli, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the Congress and its allies, accusing them of familial politics and claimed decisive victories for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The event was organised in support of BJP candidates Smriti Irani (Amethi) and Dinesh Pratap Singh (Rae Bareli), and saw the defection of SP MLA Manoj Pandey to the BJP, along with several block chiefs.

Shah asserted that the Congress and its allies, including Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mamata Banerjee and Sonia Gandhi, are driven by nepotism.

He claimed Lalu Prasad Yadav wants his son to become the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee wants her nephew to become the chief minister, and Sonia Gandhi desires her son to become the prime minister. He accused them of intending to “re-consecrate the Ram temple” and potentially lock it again, undermining its sanctity.

Referring to Rae Bareli and Amethi, Shah declared these parliamentary constituencies belong to the people, not political families.

“This time, Smriti Zubin Irani from Amethi and Dinesh Pratap Singh from Rae Bareli will win and reach Parliament,” he asserted confidently.

Amit Shah also addressed national security, stating, “Congress leaders like Mani Shankar Aiyar and Farooq Abdullah call Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Pakistan’s. But let me tell them, it was, is, and will always be India’s. Soon, it will be merged with India.”

He lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for abolishing Article 370 and criticised the Congress for wanting to reinstate it. He emphasised Modi’s resilience, referring to his “56-inch chest” as a symbol of strength.

Shah challenged Rahul Gandhi, suggesting that corrupt leaders from Congress will face jail under Modi’s administration. He claimed that under Modi’s leadership, Uttar Pradesh has seen significant development, with new factories and industries creating employment.

He contrasted this with previous administrations, highlighting that Amethi did not have a collectorate office for 70 years until Smriti Irani became the MP, after which the BJP government constructed one.

He concluded by condemning the Gandhi family’s perceived neglect of their constituencies, pointing out that over 200 people died in an NTPC accident without a visit from Sonia Gandhi.