Modi storm will blow away Mamata, BJP to get more than 282 seats: Amit Shah

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah has expressed confidence that his party will be able to better the tally of 282 Lok Sabha seats that it achieved in 2014 elections. 

Speaking to Zee Media in an exclusive chat on the campaign trail in West Bengal on Tuesday, Shah slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for reportedly detaining people who chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans at her convoy earlier this week. 

Attacking Mamata government, the BJP chief said, "How can 'Jai Shri Ram' be an abuse and people be jailed for it? This exposes their mentality. We began our rally with 'Jai Shri Ram', I don't think Mamata ji has the courage to arrest us."

Asked to comment on BJP's 'Mission 23' in Bengal, Shah said, "We will get more than 23 seats. Even Didi (Mamata Banerjee) does not speak of getting all 42 seats in the state now."

Shah said there is strong support for the BJP in Bengal and "Modi storm will blow away Mamata govt."

He exuded confidence that both the BJP and its alliance NDA will improve its 2014 seat tally. 

"Our win will be better than that of 2014. Will go beyond 282. The enthusiasm among people to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister again is the basis of this confidence."

In Uttar Pradesh, he said the BJP will win more than 73 seats (NDA's 2014 tally) this election. "I have visited 38 Lok Sabha seats in UP. I am confident BJP will improve its tally of 73," he said. 

When asked to comment on the allegation that the BJP was trying to create fissures in the opposition alliance, he said, "If they understand this why are they fighting among themselves then? There will definitely be allegations and counter-allegations after the results."

The BJP president said that people discuss Indian Air Force's strike in Pakistan's Balakot with pride. He termed it "India's win against terrorism." He reiterated "BJP's zero tolerance against terrorism." 

Commenting on Congress' assertion that there were surgical strikes in UPA regime too, he said, "If there were 6 surgical strikes in Congress' time, they should also give proof. Neither the Army confirms it, nor Pak talks about it. If there were surgical strikes, they wouldn't have stayed hidden. Other countries also have to be informed." 

On the Congress' allegation against Prime Minister Modi over Rafale deal and its slogan of "Chowkidar Chot Hai," Shah said it will be counter-productive for the opposition party. 

"Just be accusing somebody, an allegation isn't proved. Modi is untainted and that is proven," he said. 

On speculations that he could be made India's Home Minister if the BJP comes back to power, Shah said, "I am a member of the Rajya Sabha and whatever responsibilities I have, I am satisfied."