Amit Shah attacks Uddhav Thackeray for no-show at Ayodhya event

Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday confidently proclaimed the return of the '400 paar' slogan, signaling a strong electoral performance for BJP in the upcoming fifth phase of the election. Shah expressed his conviction that PM Narendra Modi is set for a third term in office.

During a rally at the Suncity ground in Vasai, Shah, who arrived by helicopter, highlighted the massive turnout as evidence of BJP's impending victory in the Palghar Lok Sabha seat. He called upon BJP candidate Hemant Savara to acknowledge the crowd's support.

Shah criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and UBT Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray for not taking part in the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, despite allegedly being invited for the same.

At a rally he addressed in Dhule for BJP candidate Subhash Bhamre, Shah said, "When Ram Mandir was going to be inaugurated, Uddhav was given the invitation for the 'prana pratishtha' (consecration). Why did he not visit the temple for the programme? It is because he was fearful of antagonising his vote bank."

"I pose these questions to Uddhav, who entered into an alliance only to enjoy power in the state. He should explain his stand to voters. Are you with Congress party, who has been supporting the terrorist Ajmal Kasab?" he asked, adding "make it public if you (Uddhav) agree with Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, who are opposing Veer Savarkar. Do you stand with Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has been spitting venom against sanatan dharma?"

In Vasai, Shah praised chief minister Eknath Shinde, labeling him the 'real Sena', and urged the crowd to recognise his leadership. He warned that if the India bloc gained power, they would reinstate triple talaq and Article 370. Shah mocked the opposition's lack of a prime ministerial candidate and accused them of nepotism.

Shah accused the previous "Sonia-Manmohan Singh government" of corruption but defended the Modi administration's clean record. He questioned Uddhav's association with those lenient towards terrorist Ajmal Kasab and reiterated BJP's commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

He also discussed the Vadhavan Port, promising local employment opportunities, and the government's efforts to secure the release of fishermen from Pakistani jails. A dust storm and thunderstorms later forced Shah to travel by road to Mumbai.