Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the BJP already has the numbers to form the government after the first five phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
“We are somewhere between 300 and 310… this is without counting the sixth phase (chhatta giney bagair)… We are in a comfortable position. This time, we went to the people with 10 years of track record and 25 years of a powerfully positive agenda,” Shah told Indian Express.
During the interview, Shah explained how his campaign in 2024 was different from the one in 2019. “In 2019, there was a feeling in the people that the nation had benefited from a decisive government, a decisive leader, and the fact that what Modi was doing was good – all these three. In 2024, the feeling is that this is the route to take towards making India a great nation. A self-confidence has taken hold,” he said.
According to the minister, “public’s samoohik atmavishwas” (collective self-confidence) is the reason behind the nation’s development. “All children who will grow up over the next 30 years have this determination and confidence that India can do it,” he said.
Shah also denied that there are several voices raising concerns on unemployment. “Unfortunately, people have linked rozgar to a government job, not just a job but a government job. This 130 crore population, it’s impossible for any government to give everyone a job. Unfortunately, some are spreading this bhram (illusion)… 1.17 lakh start-ups have been launched, take an average of five people per start-up, doesn’t this generate jobs,” said Shah.
The minister said “Manmohan Singh left an infrastructure budget of Rs 4 lakh crore, Modi ramped it up to 11.80 lakh crore.”
Emphasising that the BJP will get the highest vote share among the young, Shah denied the allegation that there is a concern that now college degrees are not equipping graduates with employable skills. “ Don’t link education with employment. When we talk of swarozgar (self-employment), then any kind of education helps develop critical skills that you need,” he said.
Shah also said the people of the country will decide on who and how many will be in the Opposition. Speaking about “Congress-mukt Bharat”, he said, “Whenever I say Congress-mukt Bharat, I say that in terms of ideology. But even that (ideology) isn’t there (in the Congress) now.”
Shah also dismissed the claim that lack of a counter to PM Modi is also a reason why the BJP gets votes. "The Opposition’s weakness has nothing to do with the Prime Minister’s sense of mission for the nation. There are countless reasons why he is so popular. From raising the standard of living of 60 crore people in 10 years; empowering them with a house, toilet, water, a Rs-5 lakh insurance scheme, 5-kg foodgrains, gas cylinder… Modiji has helped build self-confidence and self-determination,” he said.
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