Amit Shah likens Oppn parties to dogs, cats, snakes

In a statement that is bound to generate political heat, BJP President Amit Shah on Friday likened Opposition parties to dogs, cats, snakes and mongoose.

"The countdown for the 2019 (Lok Sabha) elections has begunOpposition parties are appealing for unity. I had once heard, when there is a massive flood, trees and shrubs are washed away, but tall banyan trees survive," Shah said in reference to the political surge of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.

"Then, snakes take shelter in the banyan tree, mongoose climb on it and so do dogs, cats, cheetah and lions.afraid of the (flood) water below," Shah said addressing a mammoth rally at the MMRDA Grounds at the Bandra Kurla Complex, coinciding with the 38th foundation day celebrations of the BJP.

"Because of Modi (popularity) they have fear and the Opposition parties are teaming up like cats, dogs, snakes and mongoose to fight elections," he said.

Later, at a news conference at the nearby Sofitel Hotel, Shah sought to clarify. "I said it in a different contextit was with reference to ideologies... I apologise if anyone is hurt I did not want to take names," he said.

However, he elaborated that what he meant was the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party coming together, Congress and TMC getting closer and Congress and TDP warming up to each other.

It may be recalled, last month, former Congress President and ex-UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had hosted a dinner for various Opposition leaders at her New Delhi residence. Opposition leaders are also meeting individually and collectively as the next general elections approaches.

At the rally, Shah also came down heavily on his Congress counterpart Rahul Gandhi, who in his rallies has been repeatedly asking for the performance card of the Modi government.

"Rahul Baba...You are asking what Modi ji has done in the last 4 years...The country wants to ask you....What your party did when it was in power for four generations," Shah said.

2 seats, 11 states

Referring to the losses suffered by BJP in recent by-elections, Shah said: "You have won 2 seats, we have won 11 states."

Shah, a former Gujarat minister, said that the "golden period" of BJP is yet to come.

"We will win the 2019 Lok Sabha elections...We will win in West Bengal and Odisha state elections and return to power in Maharashtra...that would be the golden period," he said, virtually kick-starting the BJP campaign for 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Mumbai.