Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing party workers after the BJP-led alliance's sweeping victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of promoting "appeasement politics" and undermining the Constitution’s secular principles. He cited the Waqf Act as an example of Congress’s vote-bank politics and reiterated his government’s commitment to amending it.

Maharashtra Victory: A Mandate for Good Governance

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a resounding victory, winning over 230 seats in Maharashtra. The BJP alone claimed 130 seats, its highest-ever tally in the state, surpassing its 2014 record of 122 seats.

PM Modi attributed this success to the people’s trust in the BJP’s governance model, development agenda, and rejection of divisive and dynastic politics.

• "Development, good governance, and true social justice have won. Lies, deceit, divisive forces, negative politics, and nepotism have suffered a big defeat," he said.

Attack on Congress

The Prime Minister accused Congress of betraying the Constitution’s secular values, citing its actions related to the Waqf Act and other policies.

• "Congress made laws to promote appeasement politics, and the Waqf Board is an example of it. There is no place for Waqf law in the Constitution given to us by Babasaheb Ambedkar," PM Modi asserted.
• He also alleged that before leaving power in 2014, Congress handed over several properties near Delhi to the Waqf Board for political gain.

Focus on the Waqf Amendment Bill

The Prime Minister's remarks come ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament, where the Waqf Amendment Bill is set to be tabled. The bill, referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee during the monsoon session, seeks to streamline the management of Waqf properties.
While the government claims the bill will ensure transparency, opposition parties and Muslim organisations argue that it grants excessive powers to the government, potentially threatening community-owned properties.

Unity and the "Mahamanta" Message

Reiterating his call for "Ek hain to safe hain" (We are safe if united), PM Modi described this as the central message from Maharashtra and Haryana, where the BJP also performed strongly in local elections.

• "This victory is a slap on the face of those trying to divide society along caste, religion, and regional lines," he said.
• PM Modi highlighted that tribal, OBC, Dalit, and other communities overwhelmingly voted for the BJP-NDA.

Urban Development Agenda

The Prime Minister emphasised the BJP’s focus on urban development, citing achievements such as metro rail expansions, new highways, and electric buses. He described cities as engines of growth and highlighted the increasing support from urban India for the BJP.

Criticism of Opposition

PM Modi accused the Congress of aligning with divisive forces and failing to address the changing aspirations of Indian voters.

• He criticised the opposition’s alliance in Maharashtra, particularly its partnership with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction, calling it a betrayal of Hindutva principles upheld by Bal Thackeray.

"Article 370 Will Not Return"

The Prime Minister dismissed opposition attempts to revive debates around Article 370, stating that no force in the world could restore it.

• "Maharashtra’s verdict has categorically rejected the Congress and its allies’ divisive agenda," he added.

BJP's Growing Momentum

Maharashtra became the sixth state where the BJP has been re-elected for a third consecutive term. The party’s performance in Maharashtra and other states reflects growing public trust in its governance and development-oriented policies, PM Modi said.

The resounding victory in Maharashtra, coupled with the BJP's agenda for constitutional reforms like the Waqf Act amendment, signals the party’s focus on consolidating its governance model and addressing long-standing issues of secularism and social justice.