Amit Shah launches BJP’s programme targeting those who will become voters in 2019

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Updated: Jan 21, 2018 11:03 IST

BJP chief Amit Shah on Saturday launched Yuva Udghosh programme in Varanasi, aiming to bring to the party fold a new generation of voters who would be voting for the first time in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

“I welcome all those joining the BJP today. The BJP is not only a political party but it is also an ideology, a campaign and a resolve to build a new India. Therefore, those who have associated with the world’s largest party today have associated themselves with the campaign to build a new India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Shah said addressing youths at Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth sports ground here.

The event is being seen as the start of the BJP’s preparation for the Lok Sabha election due in 2019.

He said the BJP was the only party which gave a chance to a chaiwala (tea vendor) to become prime minister and a booth level worker (Amit Shah himself) to head the world’s largest political party.

“This party (BJP) does not run on the basis of caste nor is it governed by a gharana (dynasty). This party is run by workers,” he said as he took a swipe at the Congress.

“The Congress’ politics of vote bank and gharana (dynasty) has become obsolete. It will not work anymore,” Shah said.

The BJP chief said the Congress did not do anything for Varanasi during its rule.

“What PM Modi has done for Varanasi within the last three years, the Congress couldn’t do during its rule of 70 years. Under PM Modi’s leadership, developmental projects worth Rs 2,900 crore have been implemented in Varanasi,” Shah said.

He also lauded Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath for ‘ensuring transparency’ in the system and bringing about considerable improvement in the law and order situation in the most populous state.

Shah claimed said UP will become the most developed state in India under Adityanath’s leadership when the state goes to polls in 2022.

“The UP government is doing well under the leadership of chief minister Yogi Adityanath. In less than a year, there has been a big, positive change in UP,” Shah said.

The Yogi Adityanath government ensured timely purchase of wheat and rice from farmers and ended the role of middlemen, he said.

“Yogiji has has put the state on path of development,” Shah said.

Ahead of Shah’s address, over 100 Congress leaders and workers were detained when they staged a protest against the BJP for using a university campus here to organise a “political event”.

Congress city chief Sitaram Keshari said the BJP’s Yuva Udghosh event at the at the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth sports ground was yet another attempt to saffronise educational institutions.

Chetganj circle officer Satyendra Tiwari said those who staged the protests were taken into custody and were sent to central jail. They were released in the evening, he added.