Amit Shah: The Political Maestro Behind NDA’s Historic Victory in 2014.
If Indian politics were chess, Amitbhai Anilchandra Shah would be the grandmaster. Amit Shah, the Master Strategist of Indian Politics Starting as a simple swayamsevak in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), amit stok has risen to become a pivotal figure in Indian politics and is often likened to the modern Chanakya. Amit Shah’s journey through politics is like a thriller filled with thrill and intrigues, controversies, power tussles and association with Narendra Modi.
From Stockbroker to Political Juggernaut.
Amit Shah wasn’t born into political royalty. Unlike the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, he had to carve his own path. Amit Shah was born in 1954 in Mumbai but lived in Gujarat. As a child, he handled his family’s PVC pipe business and learned stock trading. It is surprising that this youth businessman would one day control the world’s largest political party. In the 1980s, his political journey began by joining the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the student wing of the RSS. However, after meeting Narendra Modi a prominent RSS leader, his life changed forever. Their connection didn’t just grow into a partnership but shaped many deals to come. In fact, it would change India polity altogether.
The Modi-Shah Relationship: An Unbreakable Bond.
If Narendra Modi is the face of the BJP, Amit Shah is certainly the brain of the party. The two functioned in Gujarat, where the latter helped BJP gain strength. However Shah was more than just Modi’s right-hand man: he was the enforcer. Modi's Vision Would’ve Never Materialized: A Multidimensional Expert. When Modi Became Gujarat Chief Minister In 2001, Shah Helped Implement His Vision; Shah Handled Everything From Electoral Strategies To Behind-The-Scenes Negotiations.
However, Shah’s career wasn’t without controversy. He was implicated in suspected fake encounter cases, including the notorious Sohrabuddin Sheikh case. He was even jailed in 2010 but later acquitted. If circumstances couldn’t break him, they could only make him stronger; he would return stronger.
The Architect of BJP’s Unstoppable Electoral Machine.
The year that changed everything was 2014. With Modi emerging as the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate, it was Amit Shah who was the strategist. The brilliant strategy by Amit Shah in Uttar Pradesh ensured BJP’s win on 71 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats. This incident brought him to centre-stage and made him the most powerful political strategist of India. As BJP president from 2014 to 2020, he made the party win election. He became adept at managing booths, using social media in an aggressive manner, and mobilising the masses like never before. Whether it was the BJP’s expansion in the Northeast, toppling of governments in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, or delivering incredible victories in UP and Bihar—Shah’s political engineering was unparalleled.
Master of the Dirty Game?
Truth be told, politics is not for the faint hearted and Amit Shah plays by that rule. Critics refer him as ‘modern-day Machiavelli’ due to his alleged use of fear, polarising campaigning, operation lotus and more to achieve political goals. But Shah’s supporters claim he is just a man who wins – by hook or by crook.
From the scrapping of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, to the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), some of the most contentious yet decisive measures in the history of the country have been undertaken by Shah. Whether you like him or not, you can’t deny his impact.
Will Amit Shah be the next Prime Minister of India?
As Narendra Modi approaches two decades in national politics, one question is on everyone’s mind: Will Amit Shah take over? He possesses the political understanding, organisational ability, and experience of managing India’s most difficult political battles, supported by many. But can he draw appeal of masses and be the leader of 1.4 billion?
Currently, he is the country’s second most powerful man. Only time will tell whether he will remain the kingmaker or become the king. But one thing is certain: Amit Shah is going nowhere any time soon.
What do you think? Is Amit Shah a kingmaker or is he playing the king himself? Let the debates begin!
