NEW DELHI/ SITAMARHI/MADHUBANI: Asserting the need for a strong prime minister over a rotating leadership, Union home minister Amit Shah remarked on Thursday that the I.N.D.I.A. bloc lacks a clear candidate for the prime minister's post, suggesting that the Congress-led I.N.D.I.A. bloc plans to rotate the PM's chair among its members if elected.
Speaking at consecutive election rallies in Sitamarhi and Madhubani Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar in support of NDA candidates, Shah claimed that the Congress-led I.N.D.I.A. bloc was considering rotating the PM's chair among its constituents if they come to power.
"They don't have a prime ministerial candidate. The country has chosen to give Modi ji a third term. But who will be the I.N.D.I.A. bloc's PM candidate? They are not coming to power at any cost... But if they do... Will Mamata Banerjee, M.K. Stalin, or Lalu Prasad become PM? They have decided to rotate the PM's chair among themselves if they form the government," he stated.
"They have decided to rotate the PM's chair among themselves. Leading the country is not akin to managing a grocery store. If a situation like the Covid pandemic arises, can they steer the country? Will they be capable of safeguarding it from terrorists? India requires a strong PM, not one on a yearly basis," Shah asserted.
"When Article 370 was revoked, Rahul Gandhi predicted bloodshed. Five years have passed, and not a single stone has been thrown. Yet, Congress ally Farooq Abdullah attempts fear-mongering by suggesting we cannot reclaim PoK because Pakistan possesses nuclear weapons," Shah remarked in Sitamarhi.
Describing Sitamarhi district, bordering Nepal, as the birthplace of Goddess Sita, Shah declared, "From the birthplace of Goddess Sita, I affirm that Bharat and its 1.4 billion people fear no one."
Asserting India's claim over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Shah insisted, "PoK belongs to us and will remain so. We will reclaim it at any cost."
"In its third term, the NDA government will ensure complete security along the India-Nepal border," he added.
Emphasizing Bihar's need for development rather than lawlessness, Shah criticized the RJD for aligning with the Congress, which opposed the Mandal Commission's recommendations and delayed the Kakasaheb Kalelkar Commission report of 1955, which examined the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes.
"The Congress ruled the country for 60 years but neglected the welfare of 600 million OBCs. Neither the Congress nor the RJD proposed conferring Bharat Ratna on former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur... It was done by Modi ji alone," he remarked.
Accusing I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders of involvement in "Rs 12 lakh crore corruption," Shah reiterated the NDA government's commitment to ending corruption.
Claiming that Congress and RJD leaders did not attend the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya despite being invited due to vote bank politics, Shah announced the NDA government's decision to develop 'Punaura Dham Mandir,' a temple in Sitamarhi district, as an international pilgrimage site.
"The NDA government opposes cow slaughter... We will not tolerate it. Those found involved in cow slaughter will face dire consequences during Modi ji's third term," he emphasized.
Supporting the Centre's decision to ban the Popular Front of India, Shah alleged that the PFI aimed to establish an Islamic state.
