NEW DELHI: Along with Narendra Modi’s rise, the poll results have also seen the emergence of BJP PM candidate’s close aide Amit Shah as a force to reckon with in the party.
Within a year of being appointed as the party incharge for Uttar Pradesh, Shah has delivered his party a stunning performance. The BJP won 71 of 80 seats, while its allies gained two seats, from mere 10 seats five years ago.
Shah was seated next to party chief Rajnath Singh during the BJP’s post-result conference. He has emerged as the master strategist for the party and is likely to be rewarded for his performance.
He would be either given a ministerial berth in the PMO, or an enhanced role in the organisation.
“There is no state in the country where the Congress has won more than 10 seats. This is a mandate in favour of Modi. We have broken all records in Uttar Pradesh and only Gandhi and Mulayam families could win seats for their parties,” Shah said.
Senior BJP leaders agreed that Shah was able to energise the organisation in Uttar Pradesh. His strategy to draft leaders from other parties, allot them ticket despite opposition from within the party, paid off as the saffron party won a historic mandate.