Maharashtra: BJP has highest number of tribal, OBC MLAs, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the highest number of MLAs belonging to the tribal and OBC community.

Shah, who was addressing a poll meeting in tribal-dominated Navapur area, said: "A large number of tribal people and OBCs have chosen Narendra Modi to be their Prime Minister."

"BJP has the highest number of tribal and OBC MLAs today. The Congress has done nothing for tribal people except making promises. BJP is working for the welfare of tribal people," he added.

Shah said that Prime Minister Modi took the initiative to make a memorial for the soldiers belonging to tribal society. "The PM has taken another initiative to build Eklavya Model School in every block to enhance the pride of tribal society," he added.

In an apparent reference to Congress' repeated criticism of the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said: "During the Congress rule, around 40,000 people lost their lives due to terrorism but the Congress did not revoke Article 370."

"One day is still left for the Assembly elections. I challenge the Congress that if they are daring enough, then they should make an announcement that they will bring back Article 370 if voted to power," said Shah.

Union Minister Shah also trained guns at former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not opening his mouth over the killing of soldiers. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the decision to carry out the surgical strike after Uri terror attack.

The single-phase Assembly poll in Maharashtra is scheduled to be held on October 21. The results will be announced on October 24.