Jaipur, May 8 (IANS) Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, during his first visit to his hometown Jodhpur, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections, on Friday described the mandate as not merely a political win but a “victory of India’s cultural consciousness” and a “battle of civilisations”.

Addressing a grand reception organised by party workers in Jodhpur, Shekhawat spoke emotionally about the BJP’s decade-long struggle in Bengal, the sacrifices made by party workers, and the role played by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah in strengthening the party in the state.

Placing the election outcome in a historical context, the Union Minister said West Bengal had witnessed centuries of political and ideological shifts, from the rule of Bakhtiyar Khilji and the Mughal era to British rule, followed by Congress, Left Front, and Trinamool Congress governments after Independence.

He claimed that, for the first time, West Bengal now has a government committed to nationalist ideology and Hindutva.

He alleged that the election was also a battle to protect the Constitution and the federal structure, accusing the previous government of encouraging demographic imbalance and patronising infiltrators.

Recalling the BJP’s position in West Bengal in 2016, Shekhawat said the party had faced an atmosphere of fear and political violence.

“There were times when even party supporters hesitated to step out of their homes,” he said, adding that Home Minister Amit Shah had assured BJP workers after the 2016 poll defeat that the party would emerge stronger in future elections.

Union Minister Shekhawat also referred to alleged violence against BJP workers over the years and claimed that thousands of party supporters had been displaced from their homes.

He said he had personally provided shelter to several BJP workers at his Delhi residence after their homes were allegedly attacked.

Highlighting the party’s election strategy, Union Minister Shekhawat credited Home Minister Amit Shah for ensuring a large-scale deployment of security forces to maintain peaceful polling in West Bengal.

He claimed Home Minister Amit Shah had even diverted personnel from his own security arrangement to assist election duties in West Bengal.

Drawing a parallel with the mythological epic Ramayana, Union Minister Shekhawat compared the BJP’s poll campaign to Lord Ram’s battle against Ravana, saying the party united and empowered people who had been living in fear.

He said the BJP succeeded through “Lok Sangrah”, mobilising and organising the masses.

He also praised BJP leaders and workers, including former Minister Kailash Choudhary and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, for their contribution to the poll campaign.

Union Minister Shekhawat described West Bengal as the land of Syama Prasad Mookerjee and said the state would now play a key role in achieving the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”.

He dedicated the Bengal poll victory to party workers who, despite alleged violence and intimidation, continued to work for the party and its ideology.

–IANS

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