Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Amit Shah Hits Out at Rahul Gandhi, Challenges Him to Praise Savarkar, Bal Thackeray

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of avoiding praises for political figures like Veer Savarkar and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Addressing a rally in Hingoli, Maharashtra, ahead of the state assembly elections, Shah challenged Rahul Gandhi to express appreciation for the two leaders. He further claimed that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance was aligned with the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj and Savarkar, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition supported the “Aurangzeb fan club.”

“Uddhav ji, if you have the courage, get Rahul Baba to speak two good words about Veer Savarkar and Balasaheb,” said Amit Shah referring to the Congress leader’s alleged reluctance to acknowledge their contributions.

Shah also hit out at the grand old party, which recently passed a resolution in Kashmir calling for the restoration of Article 370, the provision granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir. “Rahul Baba, listen carefully. Not only you but even your fourth generation cannot bring back Article 370,” said the Union Home Minister.

Referring to the BJP's victory in the Haryana elections, where the party secured a third consecutive term, Shah mocked the Congress leadership for its poor performance. “So much arrogance in a democracy. Look at the results, Congress was wiped out in Haryana and BJP formed the government,” he added.

Turning his attention to the upcoming Maharashtra elections, Shah predicted a resounding defeat for the Congress and its allies, suggesting that the outcome would determine the future direction of the state. “Maharashtra polls will decide whether the state follows the path of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Veer Savarkar or the path of Aurangzeb,” he remarked.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20. The results will be announced on November 23.​