Shah's rethink: For BJP, some statements could have backfired in Delhi
Home Minister Amit Shah said provocative remarks by some leaders could have impacted BJP's performance in the Delhi polls. Speaking at a summit in New Delhi on Thursday, he said statements like ‘goli maro’ and ‘Indo-Pak match’ by some of its start campaigners like Anurag Thakur should not have been made.
In what appears to be a late realisation, BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said provocative remarks by some leaders could have impacted the party’s performance in the Delhi Assembly polls.
Speaking at a summit in New Delhi on Thursday (February 13), he said statements like ‘goli maro’ and ‘Indo-Pak match’ by some of its start campaigners like Anurag Thakur should not have been made.
He said the party had distanced itself from such remarks. Ironically, Shah too had made hate remarks. He had stated at a rally in Babarupur that if the BJP was voted to power, it would prevent thousands of protests like Shaheen Bagh.
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Shah said anyone who wanted to discuss CAA and the national Register of Citizens may seek time from his office and it would be granted in three days.
He said: “Everyone has a right to protest peacefully. Anyone who wants to discuss issues related to CAA with me can seek time from my office; will allot time within three days.”
The party and Amit Shah’s leadership had been facing flak after the BJP managed to secure just 8 seats in the Delhi elections, the results of which came out on Tuesday (February 11).
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The BJP had indulged in excessive chest-thumping by putting forth a hyper-nationalism pitch. On the other hand, the Aam Admi Party (AAP), which stormed back to power, resorted to a more subtle campaign focusing on common man’s issues. The AAP campaign was called the Bijli-Paani campaign as it hinged on providing potable water and power to citizens.
None of the AAP leaders had made any hate remark and remained silent to all the hate salvos fired at them from the BJP camp.
Shah’s comments could hint at the party redrawing its poll campaign strategy. Also, the government had decided on February 12 to take up a major media campaign blitzkrieg on the government’s people-fronted policies.
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