Amit Shah links Bengal gainsto BJP’s ideological growth

Chitradurga: Union home minister Amit Shah Saturday linked BJP's political gains in West Bengal to the party's ideological expansion across the country. He also promised a memorial for Chitradurga ruler Madakari Nayaka in the central Karnataka city.Addressing the BSY Abhimanotsava rally in Chitradurga to mark 50 years in public life of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, Shah repeatedly referred to the rise of the saffron flag in West Bengal and called it a landmark moment for BJP's ideology. "Today is a great day. The land where Sri Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee were born has today witnessed the rise of the saffron flag," Shah said.Shah also revived the promise of building a memorial for Madakari Nayaka, the 18th century ruler remembered for resisting Hyder Ali and defending the famous Chitradurga Fort. The ruler is closely associated with the legend of warrior Onake Obavva."I had promised it ahead of the 2023 assembly elections but unfortunately our party did not return to power. But do not worry, Modi ji is there. We will definitely build that memorial on this very land," he added.He also paid tribute to Onake Obavva, calling her an inspiration for children across the country, and highlighted the presence of seers from different religious sects on the stage as a symbol of social harmony.Pitching Karnataka as central to BJP's southern growth, Shah said the party was once dismissed as weak in south India before forming its first govt in the state in 2008. Crediting Yediyurappa for changing the party's fortunes, he said: "Yediyurappa proved those who declared that BJP will never form govt in South India, wrong."Union minister Pralhad Joshi recalled Yediyurappa's early struggles in building BJP in Karnataka. "His life proves hard work and compassion make a true leader," Joshi said.BJP state president BY Vijayendra said his father never chased power but fought for people and described him as "another name for sacrifice, hard work and struggle". "He has seen many ups and downs in life. But no matter what challenges or political conspiracies came his way, he never turned his back and ran away. He faced everything courageously," Vijayendra said, adding, "I will continue his work and I need my party's and people's support," he added.———-Quote"I was not born with a golden spoon in my mouth. I grew up as an ordinary man through many unexpected turns in life and dedicated the last 50 years to serving people... RSS gave me values and discipline. I never fought for power or dreamt of becoming CM. Party workers shaped my entire political journey-BS Yediyurappa, former CM