Describing surgical strike and demonetisation as ‘historic and courageous decisions’, the BJP on Friday claimed that the party would score clear victories in the upcoming five Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. Addressing the BJP National Executive meeting, party president Amit Shah said the BJP has the backing of the “poor” in the country who have “approved notebandi” despite “some difficulties”.
Shah indicated that demonetisation would result in Government netting additional revenue which would enable it to spend more for pro-poor developmental schemes in the coming Union Budget.
Shah said a stronger India has emerged with “a new face” in the world community.
The twin-decisions reflected Government’s zero tolerance to terrorism as also stepped up efforts against “black money” in favour of the poor in the country, he added.
The two-day National Executive meet in the backdrop of demonetisation and foreground of crucial Assembly polls particularly in Uttar Pradesh that may virtually test the popularity of the Modi Government at the Centre. The meeting began with veteran BJP leader lK Advani lighting up the traditional lamp with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and BJP Delhi State president Manoj Tiwari on the dais.
In his speech, Shah said soon after the surgical strike one leader had infamously talked about “khoon-ki-dalali” and others asked the Government to furnish “proof” for Army’s courageous step.
He said demonetisation has heavily damaged counterfeit trade of Indian currency that was used to fund terrorism as also the drug trafficking.
More importantly, the BJP chief said, demonetisation would enable the Government to provide more funds for development plans targeting the poor in the country which currently limited to four to five lakh crore only
“Demonetisation is not for temporary popularity but for real and long-term view which has got large support from the people”, Shah was quoted as saying by Union Minister Prakash Javadekar who briefed the media after the conclusion of the first day proceedings.
The BJP president said notebandi was not one off decision but taken after a series of decisions -- including that of opening of ‘Jan-Dhan’ and digital accounts and ‘Aadhaar cards’-- taken over two-and-half years by the Modi dispensation.
Shah said all the surveys have given “overwhelming public support to the party on demonetisation” and claimed that “the plank” has slipped out of the hands of the Opposition parties who are seen to be on the side of corrupt people.
“This move is to stop tax theft and provide for Roji, Roti, Kapda, Makan aur Swasth for poor,” said the top BJP leader.
On the Assembly polls in five states, Shah said his party would comprehensively win all these elections. He said the BJP’s development plank has huge public support as against ruling SP’s “goonda raj”, “lawlessness” and “land grabbing” in the last five years. In Uttarakhand, he said the party is winning and the State is set for a change. Similarly, in Goa, BJP leader said the situation has changed for the better with the success of “Sankalp Yatra”. last but not the least, Shah said in Manipur which was beset with corruption under Ibobi Singh and the unfortunate ‘blockade’ would also vote for the party. “People in Manipur would vote for blockade-free, Band free and developed Manipur”, he claimed. Shah also advocated “one-time- poll” for assembly and lok Sabha polls.
Shah did not comment on the situation in West Bengal where a confrontation is brewing between the ruling TMC and the BJP apparently on account of the CBI probe into Rose valley scam.