The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed on Monday that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi avoided attending the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya due to fears of losing his “Bhendi Bazaar” vote bank, referencing the Muslim-dominated area in south Mumbai.
During election rallies in Dhule district and Vasai, Shah also declared that despite Congress’s opposition, the BJP government would introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Addressing a campaign rally at Vasai, he stated, “This government will not run as per Sharia Law.”
Shah accused Rahul Gandhi of not visiting the Ram temple inauguration because of concerns over alienating his Muslim vote bank. He campaigned for Hemant Savara, the BJP nominee from Palghar Lok Sabha constituency, who is contesting against Bharti Kamdi of Shiv Sena (UBT).
Shah alleged the previous Congress government, led by Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, was involved in corruption amounting to Rs 12 lakh crore. He contrasted this with the Narendra Modi government, which he claimed has had no such allegations in the past ten years.
In a sharp critique, Shah asked Uddhav Thackeray if he was comfortable allying with those who were lenient towards Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab. He reiterated that the BJP would implement the UCC, opposing Congress’s stance.
Earlier, at a campaign rally in Dhule for BJP’s Dhule Lok Sabha seat candidate and former Union minister Subhash Bhamre, Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for resolving and facilitating the construction of the Ram temple.
Shah targeted Uddhav Thackeray regarding Rahul Gandhi’s opposition to the abrogation of Article 370, accusing Congress of keeping the article due to appeasement politics. He also criticized Rahul Gandhi and Congress for allegedly insulting Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, questioning Thackeray’s stance on the issue.
Shah demanded clarification from Uddhav Thackeray about DMK leader M K Stalin’s son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who allegedly insulted Sanatan Dharma. He questioned whether Thackeray agreed with such statements.
Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Shah remarked that multiple attempts to launch him as a leader have failed. He questioned Gandhi’s capability to respond to Pakistan, eliminate Naxalism or terrorism, and make India prosperous.
Dhule and Mumbai South constituencies are scheduled to vote on May 20.