Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, 20 June launched a sharp attack on the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray at a public rally in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, accusing both of depending on illegal infiltrators to sustain their political survival. Shah asserted that India is not a 'Dharamshala' and that the Narendra Modi government is committed to securing every dimension of the country's borders.

Shah's Charge Against the Opposition

Addressing the Kolhapur gathering, Shah directly named Congress and Uddhav Thackeray, alleging they have converted infiltrators into a consolidated vote bank — a charge the opposition has not yet formally responded to. The Home Minister drew a clear contrast, stating that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has, over 12 years, expanded its footprint from Somnath to Ganga Sagar and across every state.

He specifically highlighted West Bengal, noting that voters there extended support to the BJP in the last election — a development he described as a significant shift. 'The people of Bengal have given us their blessings, and PM Modi and the BJP owe a debt to the people of Bengal,' Shah said.

Pledge on Border Infiltration

Shah issued a direct assurance on the question of cross-border infiltration, particularly through Bengal's borders. 'I assure you that not only will infiltration across Bengal's borders be stopped, but every infiltrator will also be identified and removed one by one,' he said. The statement carries political weight in Maharashtra, where the ruling Mahayuti alliance has sought to frame illegal immigration as a national security issue ahead of future electoral contests.

Modi's 12-Year Record, Shah's Assessment

Shah credited Prime Minister Modi with setting the record for the longest-serving elected Prime Minister in independent India. He argued that the past 12 years will be remembered in history for three pillars: the building of a Viksit Bharat, a cultural renaissance, and India's rising global stature. He cited rural and urban development, empowerment of the cooperative and dairy sectors, PLI-driven manufacturing growth, and India's emergence in semiconductors, quantum engineering, software, and data centres as markers of that record.

Cultural Renaissance and Temple Redevelopment

A significant portion of Shah's address focused on what he described as a cultural revival under the 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' vision. He invoked the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the reconstruction of Kedarnath and Badrinath Dhams, and the redevelopment of the Somnath Temple in gold. He also mentioned the under-construction corridor for Maa Kamakhya and confirmed that work on the Amba Bai Corridor in Kolhapur has begun. 'All Jyotirlingas and Shakti Peethas are being reconstructed in Maharashtra. This is a matter of great pride for all of us,' he said.

Political Context

The rally comes at a time when Maharashtra's political landscape remains sharply contested following the split in the original Shiv Sena and the NCP. Shah's dual messaging — targeting the opposition on infiltration while projecting the BJP's governance and cultural credentials — reflects the ruling alliance's broader strategy to consolidate Hindu nationalist sentiment alongside a development narrative. With assembly elections on the horizon, Kolhapur — a region with historical significance and a strong cooperative economy — is considered a key battleground.