After Arvind Kejriwal’s declaration that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to “retire” as a BJP leader next year, while he advocates for Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who he claims will assume his position, Home Minister Shah countered on Saturday asserting Modi’s continuity as the PM for the third tenure.
Addressing the press at the BJP headquarters in Hyderabad, Shah stated, “I wish to convey to Arvind Kejriwal and associates, including the INDI alliance, not to rejoice prematurely over Narendra Modi reaching 75. Such provisions are absent in the BJP’s constitution. Modi ji will see out his current term and lead the nation onward. There exists no ambiguity within the BJP, notwithstanding efforts to sow confusion.”
Kejriwal, speaking to his supporters in Delhi today, emphasized Modi’s forthcoming 75th birthday next September. “He instituted the regulation mandating retirement for party members at 75. Consequently, his retirement is imminent next year. So, I pose this query to the BJP: who is their PM nominee? Who shall fulfill Modi’s assurances? Will it be Amit Shah? When you cast your ballots, remember, you are endorsing Amit Shah, not Modi,” Kejriwal asserted.
Commenting on Kejriwal’s temporary relief, Shah remarked that the interim bail was granted to facilitate election campaigning. “He petitioned the Supreme Court, contesting the legality of his arrest, yet the Court rejected his plea. The interim bail extends until June 1, after which he must present himself before the authorities on June 2. If Kejriwal interprets this as exoneration, it reveals a lack of legal acumen,” the Home Minister remarked during the press briefing.
Shah expressed confidence in the BJP-led NDA’s electoral prospects, predicting a landslide victory of over 400 seats, including an expectation to secure more than 10 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana. “In the preceding three phases of elections, the BJP-led NDA and its affiliates have attained the milestone of 200 seats. We anticipate favorable outcomes in the fourth phase as well, progressing towards our target of 400 seats. The fourth phase encompasses elections in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where the NDA and BJP anticipate a decisive victory,” he elucidated.
“Come results day, June 4, BJP anticipates emerging as the preeminent party in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. We anticipate securing the highest number of seats in these states. In Telangana specifically, we foresee victory in excess of 10 seats,” Shah confidently asserted.
