In Shirdi, Amit Shah slams Sharad Pawar for ‘politics of betrayal and treachery’

The Union Home Minister credited the BJP’s massive 2024 victory for continued stability in Maharashtra, and said the win signalled the end of dynasty politics

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday (January 12, 2025) launched a scathing attack on Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) supremo Sharad Pawar, accusing him of perpetuating the “politics of betrayal and treachery” in Maharashtra since 1978.

Mr. Shah, addressing the Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) convention in the temple town of Shirdi, claimed that the party’s massive win in the 2024 Assembly election signalled the end of this era of instability and dynasty politics.

“The people of Maharashtra rejected Pawar’s and Uddhav Thackeray’s politics of betrayal and showed them their place in the 2024 elections,” Mr. Shah said. He noted that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured 230 of the 288 seats in the Assembly, with the BJP alone winning 132 seats. Meanwhile, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance was reduced to 46 seats, with NCP(SP) and Shiv Sena(UBT) winning only 10 and 20 seats, respectively.

The BJP leader accused Mr. Pawar of exploiting his positions of power, including as Chief Minister and Union Agriculture Minister, without addressing the issues plaguing farmers, particularly suicides. “Only BJP, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has introduced concrete schemes to alleviate farmers’ distress,” he said, urging party workers to focus on strengthening the organisation at the grassroots by involving women and farmers.

He dismissed concerns over fulfilling the BJP’s promises, stating, “Our government delivered on Ram Mandir, abrogation of Article 370, and will eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026. Let the Opposition watch as we fulfil every assurance.”

Mr. Shah also took a dig at the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance bloc, pointing out internal discord among its members. “Shiv Sena(UBT) is contesting local body elections alone, and the Congress and the AAP are fighting separately in Delhi. The decline of the Opposition bloc has begun,” he said, expressing confidence in BJP’s victory in upcoming elections, including the Delhi Assembly elections next month.

This convention marks the BJP’s first major event since its November 2024 electoral victory and the formation of a government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Nearly 15,000 delegates are expected to attend. It served as a platform for BJP leaders to outline their strategy for the upcoming local body elections, with a focus on consolidating the party’s grassroots presence and ensuring unity among its ranks.

Earlier, Mr. Fadnavis, alleged that Bangladeshi infiltrators were attempting to secure illegal birth certificates in the State as part of “vote jihad part 2.” He claimed that over 100 such cases had been reported in Amravati and Malegaon tehsils.

“These infiltrators, many aged around 50, are obtaining fake documents to secure voting rights. Not a single infiltrator will be allowed to stay in Maharashtra,” Mr. Fadnavis asserted, calling for vigilance against anarchist forces attempting to create caste and communal divides.

Reflecting on the BJP’s assembly poll triumph, Mr. Fadnavis credited Mr. Modi and Mr. Shah’s leadership for instilling confidence in the party. “For three consecutive elections - 2014, 2019, and 2024 - the BJP has crossed the 100-seat mark, with a record strike rate of 89% in the recent polls,” he noted.

The Chief Minister cautioned party workers against complacency, urging them to prepare for the upcoming local body elections across the State, including in Mumbai, Thane, and Nagpur. “PM Modi’s mantra, ‘ek hain to safe hain’ [Unity ensures safety], must guide us as we head towards these polls,” he said.

He spoke about the government’s focus on renewable energy, with a commitment to ensuring that 52% of Maharashtra’s electricity is generated from renewable sources by 2030. He also assured that new welfare schemes would cater to all sections of society.

Drawing an analogy from the epic Mahabharata, Mr. Fadnavis likened party workers to “Keshav” and PM Modi to “Madhav”, two appellations of Krishna, attributing the BJP’s resounding victory to their collective efforts and leadership.

Published - January 12, 2025 10:42 pm IST