New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) Stressing that India has got a corruption-free and decisive government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah on Friday said that the NDA regime created hope across all sections of people by laying down a strong foundation in its two years.
He also downplayed a controversy over the Bajrang Dal's "self-defence training camps" in Uttar Pradesh, saying his party's focus in next year's assembly polls in the state would be on development and the activities of such Hindu outfits could not be equated with the BJP.
"In the last two years the government has laid down a strong foundation, and in the coming three years it will raise a strong building of development. I am sure when we go to the people again for votes in 2019, we would have fulfilled all our promises," the Bharatiya Janata Party president told the media here.
"People put their stamp of approval on the central government's performance whenever they got a chance as the BJP has formed government in five states for the first time, and preformed better than earlier everywhere," Shah said, referring to assembly polls held during the past two years.
He said, "After 10 years of turmoil under a scam-tainted and corrupt UPA (United Progressive Alliance) rule, the country got a government that not only took key decisions but also implemented them wholeheartedly. We have given a corruption-free government. Even our opponents cannot accuse us of corruption."
"We have given a decisive government that takes decisions, makes policies and implements it. After a long time, the country has got a decisive government in the form of the National Democratic Alliance government," Shah said.
Listing the government's achievements, he said it took steps to provide long-term solutions to end poverty, unemployment and farmers' problems.
The BJP chief said that while the earlier UPA government was in a dilemma over reforms and public welfare, politics and bureaucracy, the present government adopted a balanced approach for all-round development of the country.
"Our government maintained a balance between reform and public welfare. With a balanced approach, we succeeded in giving a feel of all-round development," he said.
The BJP chief also fielded questions related to its core issues like construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, common civil code and Article 370 and recent controversy surrounding Bajrang Dal's activities in Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections are slated next year.
"Listen to the government, what it is saying. Everything will be right," Shah said in reply to a question that while the BJP leaders were focusing on development, right-wing outfits like the Bajrang Dal were playing "divisive" politics.
Shah also wondered on what basis the opposition was accusing the BJP of playing the communal card ahead of the assembly elections.
"I don't know on what basis they are saying this... Bajrang Dal is not BJP," he said.
On the Bajrang Dal's self-defence training camps in Uttar Pradesh, Shah said the state government should take action against it if there is anything unlawful.
"These issues are mentioned in our manifesto and it is also mentioned there that how we intend to work on these issues," he said.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has been constantly raising the issue of construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya.
On the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Shah claimed the BJP will form the government.
"The party will take a call whether to declare a chief ministerial candidate or not," he said, adding that "UP ka Ram kaun hoga ye waha ki janata tay kar legi (the people will decide who UP's Ram will be)."
The question on who would be the party's 'Ram' in Uttar Pradesh came in the wake of an appeal made by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Saharanpur to elect the BJP, and end its 14 years of exile -- in reference to Lord Ram's exile in the Ramayana.
Shah also said the BJP is considering alliances with smaller parties and that the ruling Samajwadi Party would be its main rival.
To a question on a likely reshuffle of the union cabinet, Shah said: "There will be ... but a date is not certain."
