Trains, traffic hit as BJP workers throng for Foundation Day rally

Bharatiya Janata Party Ntional President Amit Shah Friday ridiculed the Opposition’s bid to forge a united front, likening them to dogs and cats.

“Ye jo Modi ji ki baadh ayi hai na, iske dar se saap, nevale, kutti, kutte, billi sab ikattha hokar chunaav ladne ka kaam kar rahe hai (It’s the fear of Modiji’s oncoming flood that is causing snakes, mongoose, bitches, dogs and cats to join forces and fight the elections)”, Mr Shah said at a massive rally in Mumbai.

Shah went on to say that when a flood occurs, all animals come together to take shelter: “I have heard that whenever floods happen, all the animals come together”.

Mumbai: The Congress’s Maharashta unit on Friday reacted sharply to BJP President Amit Shah’s remarks comparing the Opposition parties in the country with animals. However, the BJP central leadership appears to have taken a pragmatic view considering the emergence of new permutations and combinations across the country. Asked about Sena’s frequent targeting of BJP, Shah avoided criticism, saying, “They are still a part of our government”.

“Rahul and (NCP chief Sharad) Pawar, listen. Clearly BJP ruled Centre and state governments didn’t initiate any steps to curb the violence neither to protect the fraternity, therfore it becomes even more important for the Congress to lead the nation in tough time”. At the rally, which according to Mumbai police was attended by 90,000 BJP workers, Shah did not mention the Sena but unveiled his party’s poll blitzkrieg.

On the new political realignments taking shape across the country, Shah said, “Ahead of every election new alliances and consolidation of forces are inevitable”.

Mumbai-based political analyst Surendra Jondhale said Shah’s speech seemed to be more of an attempt to set things in his own house in order and try to boost the morale of party workers than send a message to the opposition. “The people of the country are questioning you on four generations of rule”, he said. “It will be the dawn of the golden period of the BJP”, Shah said.

Asked if it is not true that there are considerable apprehensions within the ruling BJP about its prospects in the 2019 polls, Shah said, “There is absolutely no fear among us about our prospects in the 2019 polls”.

J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, another ally of the BJP who has seen hard times, also tweeted her support to the party. In 10 days, Modi made a decision to send our jawans into Pakistan for a surgical strike.

Prime Minister Modi further appealed to the BJP Karyakartas to get acquainted with the extensive work done by the NDA Government, particularly those schemes that positively impact the poor.

The PM said the BJP had spent long years in the Opposition, and knew the issues faced by the people. This event changed the way the world looks at India.