HM launches e-campaign for Assembly polls
Union Home Minister and former BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday launched the poll campaign for the year-end Bihar Assembly polls addressing a political rally via video conference and slammed the Opposition for doing politics over the migrants’ crisis in the country in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Shah claimed that his address has nothing to do with Bihar elections but was just another way to consolidate fight against the pandemic.
He took a dig at Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) workers who clanked ‘thalis’ to ridicule BJP’s symbolic measure to counter coronavirus saying he was glad that Opposition had finally heard Prime Minister’s appeal to show gratitude to Covid-19 fighters. Hours before Shah’s virtual ‘Bihar Jansamvad Rally’, RJD leaders and workers staged protests, beating utensils and blowing conches against what their leader Tejashwi Yadav dubbed as the ruling party’s celebration of the devastation caused by Covid-19 and the lockdown.
“The Opposition is doing politics. What did it do for people,” Shah asked at the virtual rally. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s welfare steps such as cash transfer, free ration helped the migrant workers in at this time of the crisis.
“The Central Government safely ferried 1.25 crore migrants to their destinations after health infrastructure was ramped up to meet their needs,” Shah said.
The former BJP president started his address by saying, “This virtual rally has nothing to do with Bihar poll campaign, aimed at connecting with people in the fight against Covid-19.”
“I must say that they finally endorsed what PM Modi had earlier appealed for the people to coronavirus in India and around the world. I salute coronavirus warriors,” he said.
The Union Home Minister said, “It’s the land of Bihar where first Republic Government was formed. This land of Bihar has always led India.”
“It is because you voted for Prime Minister Modi not only Bihar but all eastern India now has set off its journey to development,” Shah said.
Shah asserted that “The sweat of people of Bihar and its migrants is ingrained in this country’s foundation...that cannot be forgotten. I must acknowledge their contribution to the country’s development,” he said.
Shah reeled off figures of Central Government’s flagship economic schemes as he also counted its ‘political achievements’.
“About 1 crore people of the country have been benefitted from Ayushman Bharat health scheme,” and 25 crore people have been provided with safe drinking water, he said.
The Union Minister further said, “LED bulb is illuminating in 2.5 crore household today. It’s not the lantern age today but of LED bulb.”
“The biggest work the Modi Government has done was to take country’s pride to the world,” he further said in his digital address.
Shah said, “The Modi Government on August 5, 2019 dared to scrap Article 370 and 35A.” He also said, “This Modi Government through court’s judgment, processed construction of Ram Janmabhoomi temple.”
The BJP leader said, “Janata curfew will be imprinted in country’s golden history for following a leader’s appeal. After former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri I have not seen a leader other than PM Narendra Modi on whose appeal the whole country got united.”
Shah said, “I would also like to thank Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Dy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar for taking every step to battle against coronavirus pandemic.” Talking about Bihar Assembly election 2020, Shah expressed confidence that the NDA will get two-third majority under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
“There are elections in Bihar in the coming days, I believe that under Nitish Kumar ji’s leadership NDA will form the Government with 2/3rd majority but this isn’t the time for politics. We all should fight Covid-19 under Modi ji’s leadership,” he added.
Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah said that some NGO has told Rahul Gandhi that speaking loudly will get him more votes.
He said that the Opposition leaders dismissed Modi’s efforts to unite the country in the fight against Covid-19 as political propaganda, the nation followed his appeals.