Pankajnath Tiwari :-
Amit Shah, born on October 22, 1964, is an Indian politician and a prominent member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has played a significant role in Indian politics and currently serves as the Union Minister of Home Affairs in the Indian government. Let’s delve into the story of Amit Shah and his journey in politics.
Amit Shah hails from a Gujarati family in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He completed his schooling from Mehsana and pursued his graduation in biochemistry from CU Shah Science College in Ahmedabad. From an early age, Shah showed a keen interest in politics and joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization known for its ideology of cultural nationalism.
Shah’s political career took off in the 1980s when he became an active member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS. He demonstrated exceptional organizational skills and quickly rose through the ranks of the organization. Shah’s association with the ABVP led him to work closely with leaders like L.K. Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who played crucial roles in shaping his political ideology.
In 1987, Shah’s political journey aligned with the BJP when he became a member of the party. His administrative and organizational capabilities caught the attention of senior leaders, and he steadily climbed the ranks within the party. Shah served as the Gujarat State Secretary and later as the President of the Gujarat BJP.
One of the defining moments of Amit Shah’s political career came when he played a pivotal role in the 2002 Gujarat assembly elections. He was appointed as the Chief Election Strategist for the BJP in Gujarat and successfully led the party to a landslide victory. Narendra Modi, who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time, recognized Shah’s astute political acumen and leadership abilities.
Amit Shah’s association with Narendra Modi continued to strengthen, and he became a trusted confidant of the future Prime Minister. Shah’s organizational skills were instrumental in leading the BJP to victory in the 2014 Indian general elections, where the party secured a majority and formed the government.
After the BJP’s victory, Amit Shah was appointed as the President of the BJP, a position he held from 2014 to 2020. During his tenure as party president, Shah focused on expanding the party’s base and strengthening its organizational structure. Under his leadership, the BJP achieved significant electoral successes in various state elections, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Assam.
In 2019, Amit Shah contested the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) elections from the Gandhinagar constituency in Gujarat and emerged victorious with a significant margin. Following the election, he resigned from his position as party president to assume a ministerial role in the Indian government.
In the second term of the Narendra Modi-led government, Amit Shah was appointed as the Union Minister of Home Affairs, one of the most crucial portfolios in the Indian government. As the Home Minister, Shah is responsible for maintaining internal security, law and order, border management, and disaster management in the country.
Throughout his political career, Amit Shah has been recognized for his strong leadership, strategic thinking, and organizational abilities. He is known for his assertive and decisive approach to governance and has played a significant role in shaping the policies of the Indian government.
As the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah has been instrumental in implementing several key policy initiatives and reforms. He has focused on addressing issues related to national security, border management, and internal stability. Some of his notable contributions include:
National Register of Citizens (NRC): Amit Shah played a crucial role in the implementation of the NRC in Assam. The NRC aimed to identify illegal immigrants in the state and has been a significant step in addressing concerns related to national security and demographic changes.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): Shah played a pivotal role in the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019. The act provides a path to Indian citizenship for persecuted religious minorities from neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization: Under Amit Shah’s leadership, the Indian government took a historic decision to revoke Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This move led to the reorganization of the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Internal Security and Counterterrorism: Shah has focused on strengthening internal security measures and enhancing counterterrorism capabilities. He has emphasized proactive measures to tackle insurgency, terrorism, and left-wing extremism in various parts of the country.
Police Reforms: Amit Shah has been actively involved in pushing for police reforms in India. He has emphasized the need for modernization, capacity-building, and improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies.
COVID-19 Pandemic Management: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shah played a crucial role in coordinating the government’s response. He led efforts to ensure the implementation of lockdown measures, mobilize resources, and coordinate with state governments to manage the crisis.
Electoral Reforms: Amit Shah has been a vocal advocate for electoral reforms in India. He has called for the use of technology, including the introduction of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines, to enhance the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
Electoral Success: Under Amit Shah’s leadership as the President of the BJP from 2014 to 2020, the party witnessed significant electoral victories. The BJP secured a majority in the 2014 Indian general elections, winning 282 out of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. In the 2019 elections, the BJP further increased its tally, securing 303 seats, making it the single-largest party in the Parliament.
Expansion of BJP’s Base: Amit Shah focused on expanding the party’s presence across the country, especially in states where the BJP traditionally had a weaker presence. He adopted a strategy of “booth-level management,” which involved strengthening the party’s grassroots-level infrastructure and mobilizing workers at the polling booth level.
Successful State Elections: Under Shah’s leadership, the BJP achieved significant victories in state elections. Notably, the party won a landslide victory in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, securing 325 out of 403 seats. The BJP also formed governments in other states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Assam, and Tripura.
Party Reorganization: During his tenure as BJP President, Amit Shah focused on reorganizing the party’s structure and bringing in fresh faces. He emphasized the importance of discipline, internal cohesion, and effective communication within the party.
Strengthening Coalition Politics: Amit Shah played a key role in building and managing alliances with other political parties. He successfully led the BJP’s coalition in Bihar, which resulted in the party’s victory in the 2019 state elections.
Efficient Campaign Management: Known for his meticulous campaign planning, Shah strategized and executed election campaigns with precision. He utilized data-driven analysis, technology, and social media to connect with voters and communicate the party’s message effectively.
Political Outreach: Amit Shah actively engaged with various sections of society to expand the BJP’s support base. He focused on connecting with youth, women, and marginalized communities, working to address their concerns and mobilize their support for the party.
Party Ideology and Vision: Amit Shah has been an advocate for the Bharatiya Janata Party’s core ideology of Hindutva (Hindu nationalism). He has emphasized the party’s commitment to national integration, cultural preservation, and economic development.
Effective Implementation of Policies: Amit Shah has been known for his focus on effective policy implementation. During his tenure as the Union Minister of Home Affairs, he has worked towards streamlining processes, removing bottlenecks, and ensuring the smooth execution of government policies and initiatives.
Border Management and National Security: Shah has prioritized strengthening border management and enhancing national security. He has taken measures to bolster border infrastructure, improve surveillance mechanisms, and address issues related to cross-border infiltration and smuggling.
Police Modernization and Reforms: Amit Shah has laid emphasis on police modernization and reforms to improve law enforcement capabilities. He has advocated for the use of technology in policing, including the adoption of smart policing methods, digital systems, and the establishment of forensic laboratories to enhance crime investigation.
Strengthening Central Armed Police Forces: Shah has worked towards enhancing the capacity and efficiency of central armed police forces like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and others. He has focused on providing them with modern equipment, training, and resources to effectively handle internal security challenges.
Focus on Disaster Management: As the Home Minister, Amit Shah has played a crucial role in disaster management efforts. He has worked towards strengthening disaster response mechanisms, improving coordination among various agencies, and ensuring timely assistance during natural calamities and emergencies.
Legislative Reforms: Shah has been actively involved in the formulation and passage of important legislation. He has worked on key bills related to national security, law and order, and other crucial areas. Some notable examples include the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) amendment, the National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act.
Political Strategy and Alliances: Amit Shah is widely regarded as a master strategist in Indian politics. He has played a pivotal role in forging alliances with regional parties to strengthen the BJP’s position in various states. His astute political calculations and alliance-building efforts have contributed to the party’s electoral success.
Vision for New India: Amit Shah has consistently articulated the BJP’s vision for a New India, emphasizing good governance, economic development, social welfare, and cultural preservation. He has worked towards translating this vision into tangible policies and initiatives aimed at transforming India into a prosperous and inclusive nation.
