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In a heated political climate leading up to the Jharkhand Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has defended his controversial remarks regarding the restoration of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a public rally in Giridih, Jharkhand, Shah declared that even four generations of the Congress party wouldn't be able to bring back Article 370. This statement, following his earlier assertion that even the return of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi wouldn't alter the decision, has solidified the BJP's stance on the issue. Shah further emphasized the party's commitment to tackling infiltration and Naxalism in the state, promising strict measures if voted to power.
Shah's address, a day after the first phase of voting in the Jharkhand assembly elections, was a clear attempt to mobilize support for the BJP. He targeted the incumbent Hemant Soren-led government, stating that its time is coming to an end and the BJP would expel infiltrators from the state. He also vowed to bring in legislation against encroachment on tribal lands. Shah's rhetoric reflects the BJP's strategy to capitalize on concerns regarding security and land rights, issues that resonate strongly with voters in Jharkhand. The party has consistently maintained a hardline stance against infiltration, associating it with security threats and economic disadvantages.
The rally also witnessed Shah taking a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of opposing an amendment to the Waqf Bill. Shah claimed that the Waqf board in Karnataka had declared villages as Waqf property, encroaching on centuries-old temples, lands, and houses of farmers. He asserted that the BJP would introduce an amendment to rectify this, a move that Rahul Gandhi and Hemant Soren were against. This accusation seeks to portray the Congress as lacking sensitivity towards the concerns of Hindus and as being more aligned with Muslim interests. The Waqf Bill has been a contentious issue, with the BJP advocating for greater transparency and accountability in the administration of Waqf properties. This latest exchange underscores the sharp ideological divide between the BJP and the Congress, and the ongoing struggle for political dominance in Jharkhand.
Source: 'Four Generations Of Congress...': Amit Shah Backs His Article 370 Remark In Jharkhand