Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a fierce attack on NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, labelling him the ‘sargana’ (ringleader) who institutionalised corruption in India. Shah also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his arrogance despite the party’s repeated electoral losses.

Speaking at the BJP’s state convention in Pune, Shah accused Pawar of neglecting the welfare of Maharashtra and the country during his tenure in power. “If there is the biggest ‘sargana’ of corruption in Indian politics, it is Sharad Pawar. There is no confusion in my mind about this. I am saying it openly that Pawar has institutionalised corruption in the country,” Shah declared.

वो (शरद पवार) कह रहे हैं कि दूध का पाउडर इंपोर्ट होगा, वो सर्कुलर निकाल कर गए थे, लेकिन मोदी सरकार के 10 साल के दौरान एक किलो दूध का पाउडर भी इंपोर्ट नहीं किया है और अगले पांच साल तक एक ग्राम भी दूध का पाउडर इंपोर्ट नहीं होगा।

ये भ्रांति फैलाकर चुनाव जीतना चाहते हैं। भारत की… pic.twitter.com/wIbgW52vqd

— BJP (@BJP4India) July 21, 2024

Shah took a swipe at Pawar’s track record on Maratha reservations, contrasting it with the BJP’s actions. “The BJP allotted reservation to Marathas when it helmed Maharashtra (under Devendra Fadnavis) whereas whenever Sharad Pawar’s government comes to power, the Maratha quota disappears,” he stated.

Hitting out at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Shah accused him of aligning with individuals who sought clemency for 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon. “Uddhav Thackeray is sitting with those who sought clemency for Yakub Memon. Who is the Aurangzeb fan club? The MVA. Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of this Aurangzeb Fan Club.”

” He shares his meals with those who serve biryani to (26/11 terror attack convict) Kasab, those who seek pardon for Yakub Memon, those who give (controversial Islamic preacher) Zakir Naik a messenger of peace award and those who support the (banned Islamist outfit) PFI. Uddhav Thackeray should be ashamed of sitting with these people,” he said.

Modi ji has ensured India’s safety by taking big and hard decisions against terrorism.

‘Aurangzeb Fan Club’ cannot ensure India’s safety. Uddhav Thackeray is the leader of this Aurangzeb Fan Club. He shares his meals with people who perpetrate terrorism; he supports PFI; and he… pic.twitter.com/UgMVbpfHfY

— BJP (@BJP4India) July 21, 2024

Addressing the BJP’s plans for the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand, Shah expressed confidence in the party’s victory. “Once we win the Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand assembly polls later this year, Rahul Gandhi’s arrogance will be crushed,” Shah asserted.

He also challenged the Congress to fulfil its Lok Sabha election promise of providing Rs 8,500 monthly to women in states ruled by the party. “I want to tell women of Karnataka, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh to start demanding it,” he urged.

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Reflecting on the BJP’s recent performance, Shah noted the party’s decrease in Lok Sabha seats from 23 to 9 in Maharashtra. However, he urged party workers not to be disheartened and to focus on winning the state assembly elections. “Mark my words, the BJP-led alliance will win Maharashtra massively,” he asserted.

Shah highlighted the importance of the 2024 Lok Sabha mandate, noting that no Prime Minister in the last 60 years has secured three consecutive terms. “This is not a small victory. In Maharashtra, we will better our performances of 2014 and 2019 this time,” he said.

Reiterating the BJP’s commitment to its ideology, Shah cited the abrogation of Article 370, the construction of the Ram temple, and the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ending terrorism in the country through air strikes and surgical strikes.

Responding to Shah’s remarks, NCP (SP) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto accused the BJP of legitimising corruption. “They accuse political leaders of corruption, and then once those who they accuse join BJP, they are all given a clean chit. This is the BJP’s washing machine process of legitimising corruption,” Crasto stated, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Shah concluded by urging BJP cadres to ensure the victory of alliance partners in the upcoming elections and to review the outcome of the recent Lok Sabha elections. “We have to do two things in Maharashtra: To review the Lok Sabha poll results and also win the state elections,” he emphasised.