BJP will conquer Telangana : Amit Shah

Hyderabad, Jan 8 (INN): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah has expressed confidence that his party would form the next government in Telangana after 2019 elections.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Amit Shah said that BJP would strengthen its roots in new State of Telangana by enrolling 35 lakh members.

He claimed that several youth have enrolled themselves as members and party's online membership drive has been getting good response. He informed that the membership drive, from the booth level, would be intensified further from January 12.

Amit Shah denied allegations that the BJP Government at the Centre was neglecting the Telangana while giving preference to Andhra Pradesh. He said that the Centre has been giving equal treatment to all the States, irrespective of the party-in-power in those States.

When asked about Nizamabad MP and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's daughter K Kavitha being made the brand ambassador of Swachch Bharat campaign, Amit Shah said it was not political move and said that the TRS has not sent any feelers of joining the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre.

The BJP President said that the Central Government was focused on implementation of all the promises that it made with the people during the election campaign. He claimed that the promised "Achche Din" (good days) were not very far.

Stating that the petrol and diesel rates have come down at least 10 times during the last seven months, he claimed that the BJP Government would also bring down prices of essential commodities soon. He said the best policy decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have enabled the common people to save Rs 1500 to Rs 3500 every month.

Amit Shah also listed out various schemes being successfully implemented by the BJP Government at the Centre.

With regard to formation of government in Jammu & Kashmir, he said that negotiations were on with different parties and a clear picture would emerge by next week. He maintained that there were no immediate plans to scrap Article 370.

Speaking about the religious conversions, Amit Shah evaded a direct reply on the 'Ghar Wapasi' campaign by some leaders of Sangh Parivar, including the BJP. He said that party does not endorse the views being expressed by some leaders on individual basis.

He admitted that the recent statements by some newly elected members have caused damage to the party's image. However, he said that the BJP Government wants to bring a new legislation to prevent religious conversions although other political parties are not supporting the move. He also refused to comment on the recent speech made by MIM President Asaduddin Owaisi.