Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, 17 May launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar, dismissing Congress's repeated claims of a political comeback in Gujarat as wishful thinking. Shah made the remarks at a public programme where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth ₹620 crore in the state capital.

Shah's Direct Jab at Rahul Gandhi

Addressing the gathering, Shah took direct aim at Gandhi's campaign rhetoric in the state. 'Rahul Gandhi was holding workers' meetings here saying 'Agli baari Congress ki'. Brother, that is not going to happen even in seven lifetimes,' Shah said, drawing loud applause from BJP supporters present at the event.

Shah was careful to frame the BJP's confidence as rooted in performance rather than hubris. 'This is not arrogance at all. Arrogance is never the nature of BJP workers. It is self-confidence based on work,' he added.

BJP's Sweep in Gujarat Local Body Polls

Shah cited the Bharatiya Janata Party's recent clean sweep in Gujarat's local body elections as evidence of the party's unbroken grip on the state. According to Shah, the BJP won all municipal corporations where elections were held. The party also secured victory in 77 out of 84 municipalities, 33 out of 34 district panchayats, and 253 out of 260 taluka panchayats.

He attributed these results to the BJP's booth-level organisation and sustained grassroots outreach, arguing that the party's electoral strength had been built over decades through direct engagement with citizens in both villages and urban areas.

BJP Workers' Role During Covid-19

Shah also invoked the party's record during the Covid-19 pandemic, crediting BJP workers with distributing food kits, arranging hospital assistance, managing testing logistics, and supporting vaccination drives. 'Many workers themselves came under the grip of coronavirus and some lost their lives, but they continued serving society,' he said.

This narrative of worker sacrifice has been a recurring theme in BJP's political communication in Gujarat, reinforcing the party's claim of a deep organisational connect with ordinary citizens.

₹620 Crore Development Push for Gandhinagar

Beyond the political messaging, Shah outlined a series of civic infrastructure projects being undertaken jointly by the Gujarat state government and the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation. These include drinking water supply upgrades, sewage treatment facilities, lake beautification, cement roads, libraries, yoga centres, and healthcare infrastructure.

'The works worth ₹620 crore will improve ease of living in both newly added and older parts of Gandhinagar,' Shah said.

The event was attended by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Mayor Miraben Patel, State Urban Development Minister Darshanaben Vaghela, MLA Alpesh Thakor, and senior administrative officials.

With assembly elections in Gujarat still years away, Sunday's event signals that the BJP is already working to consolidate its dominance in the state well ahead of any electoral cycle.