Modi, policies helped win elections: Amit Shah

BJP President Amit Shah on Friday said a massive mandate in Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand for the party is a result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies and his popularity among the masses.

Participating in 'India Today Conclave 2017' here through video-conferencing, the Bharatiya Janata Party chief said elections could not be won due to one or two reasons and multiple reasons helped the party win.

"For us, Modi-ji and his policies made it possible to win assembly elections with such a huge mandate," Shah said.

"There was a wave in BJP's favour in Uttar Pradesh and results proved that caste-based and dynastic politics has no place in India.

"The BJP's motto is inclusive growth of the country without any appeasement policy."

As for the BJP forming governments in Goa and Manipur despite not having the mandate, Shah said: "There were hung assemblies in the two states. Any party with majority can form a government in cases like these."

Commenting on Modi government's demonetisation, the BJP President said it was a "multi-dimensional step" and was not aimed at polls.

"It was just one step in a massive effort to curb black money and corruption," he added.

He said: "Reform is a small word; "it aims at transformation."

"We took some hard steps with regard to funding for political parties. Change will come gradually; we have started the process," Shah said.

Asked about BJP's alliance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Shah said: "Our alliance with the Shiv Sena is intact and will remain so."

"There's no issue with the Shiv Sena; there was a friendly match in Maharashtra civic polls with the Shiv Sena," he said.

He ridiculed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati for their charge that electronic voting machines were tampered with in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

"They should know the EVMs can't be tampered with. No one listens to Kejriwal in the country," he said.

Shah said he hoped the BJP will again form the government at the Centre in 2019, saying that every election is important for the BJP.

--IANS

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