'Protests Won't Win Elections': Amit Shah Slams Congress and AAP, Says Opposition Won't Return to Power for 30 Years

New Delhi:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), asserting that street protests and sit-ins cannot substitute for grassroots public service. Delivering a strong message to the opposition, Shah remarked that electoral victories require engaging directly with citizens, addressing their grievances, and implementing welfare schemes.

"The opposition cannot challenge the public mandate through political maneuvers and staged crowds," Shah stated, adding that Congress’s "negative politics" will keep it out of power for the next 30 years.

The Home Minister made these remarks while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 33 major projects of the Delhi Jal Board, valued at ₹8,941 crore, aimed at rejuvenating the Yamuna river and augmenting Delhi's water infrastructure.

Countering Allegations of Electoral Malpractice: Key Takeaways

1. Grassroots Delivery Over Street Agitations: Shah advised the opposition to focus on welfare delivery where they are currently in power, cautioning that persistent neglect of public issues would wipe them out of their remaining strongholds.

2. Excuses for Defeat: The Home Minister dismissed allegations of "vote theft" as repetitive excuses fabricated by the opposition whenever the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secures an electoral victory.

3. Selective Criticism of Constitutional Bodies: Questioning the opposition's consistency, Shah pointed out: "When the opposition wins in states like Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, or Telangana, the same EVMs and Election Commission are deemed credible. But whenever they face defeat, they attack the integrity of constitutional institutions."

4. Veiled Jibe Over Foreign Trips: Addressing his political detractors, Shah remarked: "I was born here, I live here, and I will die here. I don't need to visit abroad every six months. It is because of your negative mindset that you will remain out of power for the next three decades."

5. Message to Opposition Leadership: Taking another indirect swipe, Shah added: "I know you cannot hear me right now as you are somewhere abroad. While that is your personal choice, once you return to Delhi, listen closely: your turn to govern will not arrive for the next thirty years."

The SIR Controversy: Background and Timeline

The political temperature has escalated following opposition protests regarding the Special Inquiry Report (SIR) and Election Commission procedures:

• September 23: Media reports highlighted differing perspectives among election commissioners regarding decision-making procedures, which the Commission subsequently clarified were taken unanimously.

• October 6: Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc staged a march toward the Election Commission headquarters alleging electoral discrepancies, leading to brief detentions by the police.

• October 8: Opposition MPs held a silent protest at Rajghat, intensifying demands related to election oversight.

• October 10: Protests planned near Jantar Mantar were stopped by law enforcement authorities, leading to large-scale preventive detentions.

• October 12: Opposition leaders marched toward the Supreme Court and submitted petitions seeking an independent probe and procedural safeguards regarding electoral processes.