New Delhi: BJP national president Amit Shah slammed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on his recent remarks on 'dynastic politics' during the 'extended' National Executive meeting here. "Dynasty or family connections in launching careers are tradition of the Congress and not of India," he mentioned while addressing the closed-door meeting on Monday.
Shah also lauded the government's efforts to boost the economy and hailed its decisions like demonetisation and introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). During his address he also said that fundamental changes in the economy will make India a World Guru.
Briefing to newsmen about Shah's inaugural speech at the Talkatora Stadium, Union Railways and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal added, "The BJP President said that the top constitutional posts — the President of India, the Vice President, the Prime Minister and the Lok Sabha Speaker — are held by people who have risen from humble backgrounds through their performance, merit and hard work."
Shah also maintained that Gandhi should clarify about the large-scale corruption that took place during UPA rule, the appeasement politics indulged in by the Congress, why projects undertaken during the Congress rule were not completed and why the country is still backward and poor though 70 years have passed since the Independence. Shah also underlined the politics of accountability. Comparing the success of Modi government in last three years with the UPA's 10 years, the BJP national president added, "Indian economy is growing and the government is engaged in working for Garib Kalyan (welfare of the poor). He also said that the BJP believes in politics of performance — politics that solves the problems of the people and ensures their well-being."
On the issue of terrorism, he also praised the UN speech of the Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj (she had exposed Pakistan on sponsoring terror). Shah also lauded PM Modi's foreign diplomacy which has helped India secure a significant place on the global platform.
He said, "The BJP government led by PM Modi demonstrated patience, perseverance and confident politics in its resolution of the Doklam standoff with China." Shah also praised the government on its handling of Naxalism and terrorism in its three years of rule.
The BJP chief underlined that the party should endeavor to ensure that the goals of a clean India, free from poverty and corruption is achieved soon. In his speech Shah emphasized on the "vision of New India"- envisaged by PM and the agendas towards achieving it in the next five years. The political resolutions- passed by Bharatiya Janata Party, includes the agendas.
Condemning the increasing spate of violence, BJP chief also added, "Some people think that they can stop the BJP with violence, but they cannot. The more they fling the filth of violence at us, the more our lotus will bloom." He also announced that the party's Kerala unit would take out a march in the state from October 3 to 17 as a mark of protest against the violence directed at party workers in the state.
During the NE meet the saffron leadership expressed that BJP would register a historic win in upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls, sources said.
Generally, 120 party executive members attend the NE meet. However, to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Jan Sangh stalwart Deen Dayal Upadhyay, an 'extended' meeting was being organised by the party.
Thirteen Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states, 6 deputy Chief Ministers, 60 Union Ministers, 234 State Ministers, 1,515 MLAs and 334 Parliamentarians and MLCs were among the other invitees.