GANDHINAGAR: Few understand the language of electioneering better than BJP president Amit Shah . Even as he is busy supervising his party's campaign on his home turf, Shah has not lost sight of other states where he wants to strengthen BJP's presence.

To effectively translate the party’s achhe din message to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, national BJP president Amit Shah has started learning Bengali and Tamil. Shah’s effort is not dilettanteish — he has brought in professional teachers to learn the languages formally. It is said that in just a year, Shah has learnt enough Bengali and Tamil to engage in conversations in those languages. He is taking further lessons to acquire fluency.

Shah has also started to learn Assamese and Manipuri. Besides, many have always wondered how Shah manages to speak ‘Sishta Hindi’ despite having been in Gujarat for most of his life. Being a polyglot, however, seems not enough for the BJP president; he has also become a student of Indian classical music.

A key source close to Shah said, “To expand the BJP’s base in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and other states, Amitbhai has started taking formal tuitions in Bengali and Tamil.” The source said Shah started learning ‘Sishta Hindi’ while he was in jail and over the two-year period when he was barred by court from entering Gujarat. “Before becoming the BJP president, Amitbhai toured the country and visited all major religious sites. He wanted insights into political, social, and religious cultures.” The source said the research helped Shah during Uttar Pradesh elections and in his push to take the BJP to the Northeast. “He is learning Bengali and Tamil to directly reach out to people of the two states, with the aim to form governments there,” the source said.

Shah relies on yoga and Indian classical music to relax. “Indian classical and light music helps him unwind after hectic travels and canvassing,” the source said. “He was always interested in music and films.”

