BJP lacks mandate to address core issues: Amit Shah

Needs 370 seats to solve temple row

BJP president Amit Shah said his party doesn't have the mandate to address issues like Article 370, the Ram Temple and the Uniform Civil Code.

“We have not got enough mandate to address the core issues. We need 370 seats, according to the Constitution, to address them,” he told a press conference to mark the first anniversary of the Narendra Modi government.

Shah was responding to a question as to why the BJP, which has majority in the Lok Sabha on its own, was not addressing the party's core issues.
Growth and development were the twin issues before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, listing the initiatives taken in the past year.

“The government has strengthened the federal structure, improved India's position abroad and is committed to bringing back black money as it takes the nation forward on the path of speedy progress,” he added.

“This is a visible government, unlike the previous regime, which would not be seen anywhere. We have also restored the dignity of the Prime Minister's Office. This government has come out of policy paralysis. The trust deficit is now over and the world is acknowledging India's progress,” he said.

The BJP chief also said: “We had pledged to eliminate corruption, and have provided a corruption-free regime. Our opponents are not able to make any allegation on corruption. I feel this is a big achievement of this government.”

Shah also said whenever there has been a Congress government, the country's growth rate has fallen, but it has risen when the BJP comes to power.

“What has the Congress done to stop black money in 60 years of its rule since Independence," he asked, adding that the BJP is committed to taking legal steps to bring back black money.
“No one will be spared, and that is why a new law for unaccounted-for money stashed abroad has been brought by this government. I can assure you no money will go out of this country henceforth,” he said.

He also attacked those who wanted names of such foreign bank account holders disclosed, calling them “counsel” for those who generate black money, as disclosing the names would violate international treaties.