Amit Shah: Modi's 12-Year Tenure Only Beginning, BJP Rule to Continue
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12 years in office are just the beginning, predicting sustained rule by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for years to come.
Speaking at the launch of the Ambabai temple corridor project in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Shah asserted that Modi's tenure would be recorded as a significant chapter in India's history, citing achievements in infrastructure, technology, and cultural revival.
Shah highlighted projects such as the Ayodhya Ram temple, Kashi Vishwanath corridor, and redevelopment of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Somnath, and Kamakhya temples. He described a 'cultural renaissance' under the government's dual focus on development and heritage.
The Ambabai temple corridor, a ₹500-crore project, aims to transform the seventh-century shrine into a modern pilgrimage centre with AI-based security, heritage galleries, and light-and-sound shows. Shah noted that 41 surrounding temples would be conserved in consultation with the Archaeological Department, stating, 'Spending ₹1,500 crore on places where our history, religion and culture reside is not a big amount.'
Referring to recent security measures, Shah said India responded to attacks in Uri, Pulwama, and Pahalgam with surgical strikes and Operation Sindoor, contrasting this with the previous UPA government's response. He claimed that terrorism in Kashmir, insurgency in the northeast, and Naxalism have been controlled under Modi's leadership.
On agricultural policies, Shah alleged that the Congress party neglected farmers, stating that between 2004 and 2014, loan waivers totalled ₹60,000 crore, while under Modi, ₹4,28,000 crore was transferred to farmers in 22 instalments. He also announced a ₹1,500-crore project for cooperative sugar factories in Kolhapur.
Commenting on the BJP's victory in the West Bengal elections, Shah vowed to identify and deport infiltrators, targeting opposition leaders for allegedly protecting them. He remarked, 'India is not a dharamshala,' and criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray for aligning with Congress.
