BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday maintained that though all elections were “litmus tests” for him, the party was looking at Bihar elections “seriously” where it is open to stitch new alliances. Shah expressed confidence that the BJP-led alliance will get full majority in the State. Asked whether his party would go to polls with existing allies or join hands with likes of former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and expelled RJD MP Pappu Yadav, he said, “Currently talks are on and our doors are open.” Party sources said that the BJP could ally with Manjhi but it is unlikely to join hands with Pappu Yadav.
Addressing a Press conference at the party headquarters to mark the one year of the Modi Government, Shah said that during the Sampark Abhiyan from May 26 to June 1, a total of 4,413 public meetings will be organised to highlight the “achievements” of the BJP Government. Shah added that the Modi Government’s one year has brought nation back on track and raised the stature of India internationally.
The party president said exhibition vans of Information and Broadcasting Ministry will be moving around to create awareness about Government policies among people. He said of 4,413 public meetings, 250 “sabhas” would be big ones. All Central Ministers, BJP Chief Ministers, State Ministers, MPs and MlAs will attend public meetings which will focus on exhibiting Modi Government’s milestone achievements in the past one year.
From June to August, party workers will contact eight crore people with 12-page booklets, listing out Government’s welfare schemes and its “determined attempt” to give “a clean, transparent, and corruption-free Government”. Asked why Prime Minister was constantly harking back to “bure din” of UPA dispensation when he has claimed to have brought “achchhe din”, Shah said, “We are comparing. There is no corruption now that is why comparison with the UPA”.
Quizzed why the Modi Government was not addressing BJP’s core issues with the kind of majority it has, BJP chief said, “We do not have majority to address core issues, for that 370 seats are needed.” On whether international criminal Dawood Ibrahim would be brought back in India soon, he said “This Government is to be there for too long, please, do not worry.”
On a question whether saving cow in North-East was a challenge, Amit Shah said, “Reality is always there… there is no cow in NE…I searched for it.” On the utility of land Acquisition Bill, party president said farmers have well understood that they were not in any way losing on account of the Bill. “Farmers have understood that he is not losing even .0001 per cent because of the Bill…you also please understand this,” he snapped.