BJP chief Amit Shah indicates no early elections in Gujarat, eyes 150 of 182 seats | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

BJP chief Amit Shah indicates no early elections in Gujarat, eyes 150 of 182 seats

Hindustan Times, Ahmedabad | ByHiral Dave
May 07, 2017 09:49 AM IST

Amit Shah indicated that the Hindutva plank would take centre stage in Gujarat elections, and this was seconded by chief minister Vijay Rupani.

BJP president Amit Shah has indicated Gujarat might not see early elections, saying, “Narendrabhai no vijayrath November ma Gujarat aavse (Narendra Modi’s victory run will reach Gujarat in November).”

Amit Shah gestures as he is felicitated by BJP party workers for the party’s victory in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, in Ahmedabad.(Reuters Photo)
Amit Shah gestures as he is felicitated by BJP party workers for the party’s victory in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, in Ahmedabad.(Reuters Photo)

Gujarat is due for polls in November-December and talk of early election gained ground after the BJP’s success in the recent assembly polls in four out of the five states, specifically Uttar Pradesh (UP).

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Addressing BJP workers at Sabarmati riverfront on Wednesday, Shah said, “After 325 seats in UP, go out with confidence that we will get more than 150 seats in Gujarat.” Gujarat has 182 assembly segments.

Listing several development programmes and development work by Modi as Gujarat chief minister and then the Prime Minister, Shah said, “Before the BJP’s win in 1995 (in Gujarat), there used to be curfew for 200 days in a year, and in Ahmedabad Begum-Baadshah used to rule. But the BJP drove away those who used to stab.”

He added that it was under Congress rule that seeds of communalism, casteism and politics of vote bank were sown.

Shah indicated that the Hindutva plank would take centre stage in Gujarat elections, and this was seconded by chief minister Vijay Rupani. The CM said, “Now people want Ram Rajya in the country, Ram temple at Ayodhya, removal of Article 370 (which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir), and stricter cow protection laws across country.”

In his hour-long speech, Shah’s focused on motivating BJP supporters to work for a huge win in Gujarat. He took a dig at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has announced it will contest all assembly seats in Gujarat. “Do you know AAP? They surface whenever the elections are announced and disappear with results.”

The Gujarat BJP had painted the city in saffron to welcome Shah, who started a two-day visit to his home state for the first time after the party’s spectacular win in UP. After a grand felicitation at the airport, he held a brief meeting with party functionaries.

On Thursday, Shah will mark his presence at the ongoing budget session as Naranpura MLA.

Click here for full coverage on assembly elections 2017

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On