Amit Shah targets Rahul Gandhi, AAP over ‘vote chori’ claims, says protests achieve nothing

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday criticised the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over their allegations of “vote chori” and discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying protests and demonstrations would not help them win elections.

Speaking at an event in outer Delhi to launch and inaugurate projects of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Shah accused opposition parties of using “political jugglery and mobocracy” to challenge the people’s mandate. He urged them to focus on governance and public welfare, warning that they could lose their remaining political ground if they failed to address people’s concerns.

The event centred on a ₹8,941-crore package of water supply and sewerage infrastructure projects aimed at improving Delhi’s water management and reducing pollution in the Yamuna. The broader package comprises 43 projects, including the inauguration of 10 initiatives and the laying of foundation stones for 33 others.

Shah says protests will not help opposition win elections

Shah called on the Congress and AAP to engage with voters and focus on delivering welfare schemes in states where they are in power, rather than questioning electoral outcomes.

“You cannot use political jugglery and mobocracy to defy the mandate of the people. If you want to win elections, go among the people to understand their problems. These protests and demonstrations will not achieve anything. Implement schemes for people’s welfare wherever you have been elected, otherwise you will be wiped out from the remaining places,” he said.

The home minister accused the opposition of repeatedly raising allegations of electoral malpractice whenever the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won elections. He alleged that the “vote chori” narrative was being used to explain away electoral defeats and claimed that the opposition was attempting to protect the votes of infiltrators through these allegations.

“A new game has begun in Delhi. As BJP governments are being elected, they are making excuses of vote chori. They say the BJP is not coming to power by popular vote but by vote theft. In reality, you want to save the votes of infiltrators by making these allegations of Vote chori,” Shah said.

He cited the Congress’s electoral defeats across several states over multiple decades, arguing that the party had suffered setbacks even before the BJP came to power nationally in 2014. He also pointed to opposition victories in Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, arguing that the same electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Election Commission were in place when those parties won.

“Whenever you lose, you criticise the Election Commission. When courts rule in your favour, they are good; otherwise, they are bad,” he said.

Amit Shah reiterates claim that BJP will remain in power for 30 years

Shah predicted that the BJP would remain in power for 30 years, arguing that the opposition’s negative politics would prevent it from returning to government.

“When I say BJP will be in power for 30 years, they again reiterate allegations of vote theft,” he said.

The home minister also made a personal reference to his roots in Delhi while defending his political prediction.

“I want to tell you that Amit Shah was born here, stays here, and will die here. I don't need to visit foreign countries every six months. I am saying you won't form government for 30 years, based on your negative politics,” he said.

He reiterated that the Congress and AAP should concentrate on governance and public welfare in the states where they continue to hold power instead of relying on allegations against the BJP.

Amit Shah blames previous governments for Yamuna pollution

Turning to Delhi’s environmental challenges, Shah accused successive Congress and AAP governments of allowing sewage and industrial waste to flow into the Yamuna, contributing to the river’s pollution.

He said the Centre and the governments of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were working together on a time-bound plan to clean the river.

“We will come before the people in May 2029 with a clean Yamuna,” Shah said.

He added that a three-year action plan had been drawn up to provide sewer connections to every household and ensure access to clean water. Shah said the newly launched and planned infrastructure projects would play an important role in achieving these objectives.

The wider DJB package includes a new sewage treatment plant at Okhla, upgrades to eight existing treatment plants, decentralised sewage treatment plants and pumping stations, and the expansion of the sewer network. The projects are intended to improve wastewater treatment and prevent untreated sewage from entering drains that flow into the Yamuna.

The package also includes a new water treatment plant at Chandrawal and a trunk drain project in Mundka. According to details announced by Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma ahead of the event, the projects are expected to be implemented over the next two to two-and-a-half years.

AAP targeted over Delhi landfill sites

Shah also criticised AAP over Delhi’s landfill sites, claiming that more than two crore tonnes of waste had been removed and 100 acres of land cleared.

He said the cleared landfill areas would be transformed into gardens within two years, presenting the effort as part of the broader push to address the capital’s environmental and sanitation challenges.

The remarks added to Shah’s criticism of the previous AAP government in Delhi, which he accused of failing to adequately address sewage management and waste disposal.

Amit Shah targets AAP government in Punjab over drug abuse

Shah also turned his attention to Punjab, where he accused the AAP government of failing to curb drug abuse.

He asserted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would form the government in Punjab by 2029 and said it would dismantle the drug trade.

The comments formed part of Shah’s broader attack on the Congress and AAP, as he urged both parties to focus on governance and public welfare rather than electoral allegations and political protests.