We have not come to power for 5 to 10 years, but 50, says BJP chief Amit Shah

He also said dedicated workers feel “we have a long way ahead.”

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah said his party had not come to power for a mere five or 10 years, but at least for 50 years and called upon workers to strengthen the party and take it to every part of the country.

BJP national president Amit Shah at VIP Road after paying obeisance to Raja Bhoj, during his three-day visit to Bhopal on Friday. (PTI photo)

Shah also said though the BJP appeared to be at its peak with a majority government at the Centre and 1,387 MLAs in states, the workers felt the party had still a long way to go.

“Today, we have a majority government at the Centre with 330 MPs, and also have 1,387 MLAs in different states. The party appears to be at its peak, but dedicated workers feel we have a long way ahead,” a BJP release quoted Shah on Saturday as saying at a meeting with partymen.

“We have not come to power for 5-10 years, but at least 50 years. We should move forward with a conviction that in 40-50 years we have to bring major changes in the country through the medium of power,” Shah said.

Shah arrived on Friday in Bhopal on a three-day visit to Madhya Pradesh for meetings with the BJP workers and office-bearers besides participating in various programmes as part of his 110-day nationwide tour.

The BJP president reminded the activists that the party has become a political force to reckon with due to hard work, dedication and sacrifice of its leaders over the years.

Today, the BJP has become a party of 10-12 crore members because of many stalwarts who have dedicated their lives in building and strengthening the organisation, said Shah, according to the release.

“We have to ensure no place in the country is left where we don’t have our flag. For this, we have to strengthen the organisation further,” Shah said.

“Character is the basis of our foundation,” he said, and called upon the BJP workers to ensure the party is present in every (polling) booth, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Kamrup to Kutch.