Maharashtra Election 2024: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reiterated the Modi government's determination to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, in the face of opposition from leaders like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. Addressing three rallies in Maharashtra in support of Mahayuti candidates, Shah also vowed to eliminate Naxalism from Chhattisgarh by 2026 and challenged Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to publicly praise Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
Shah’s remarks came during a rally at Umarkhed in Yavatmal district, where he urged opposition leaders to accept the upcoming changes to the Waqf Act. "Modi ji wants to change the Waqf Board law, but Uddhav ji, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule are opposing it. Uddhav ji, listen carefully, you all can protest as much as you want, but Modi ji will amend the Waqf Act," Shah declared, as quoted by news agency PTI.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, currently under review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, is aimed at streamlining the management of Waqf properties.
Shah further invoked the Mahabharat to draw a line between the BJP-led Mahayuti, likened to the 'Pandavas', and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), referred to as the 'Kauravas'. "Uddhav Thackeray claims that his Shiv Sena is the real one. Can the real Shiv Sena go against renaming Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar? Can the real Shiv Sena go against renaming Ahmednagar to Ahilyanagar? The real Shiv Sena stands with the BJP," Shah asserted. The Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is aligned with the BJP, while the Shiv Sena (UBT), headed by Uddhav Thackeray, and NCP (SP), led by Sharad Pawar, are part of the opposition INDIA bloc.
Shah also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, recalling his promises made in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. "Rahul Baba used to say that his government would credit money in the accounts of people instantly, but you were unable to fulfil your (pre-poll) promises in Himachal, Karnataka, and Telangana," Shah remarked.
The Home Minister continued his speech at a rally in Chandrapur, where he declared that the Modi government would eliminate Naxalism from Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026. "Modi ji has worked to free the country from terrorism and Naxalism. He worked to make the country prosperous and increase its stature in the world. Whatever (Naxal menace) is remaining in Chhattisgarh, we will end it by March 31, 2026," Shah said.
Shah also reaffirmed the BJP-led government's commitment to Maharashtra's development, stating that the Centre had allocated Rs 15.10 lakh crore for the state's growth. "If you form a Mahayuti government, the glory of Maharashtra, which was lost during the MVA government, will be restored," he added.
At his third rally in Hingoli, Shah issued a challenge to Rahul Gandhi to publicly speak "nicely" about Savarkar and Bal Thackeray. "Uddhav ji, if you have the courage, get Rahul Baba to speak two good words about Veer Savarkar and Balasaheb," he remarked, as per PTI.
Shah also took aim at the Congress party’s stance on Article 370, which was revoked by the BJP-led government in 2019. "Rahul Baba's Congress party has passed a resolution in Kashmir to bring back Article 370. Rahul Baba, listen carefully, not only you but even your fourth generation cannot bring back Article 370," Shah emphasised.
Concluding his speech, Shah remarked on the path Maharashtra should take in its upcoming assembly elections. "The polls will decide whether the state follows the path of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and freedom fighter Savarkar or that of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb," he said.
The results of the Maharashtra assembly polls will be declared on November 23.
