Amit Shah: Mastering Chanakya Neeti in Modern Politics

He made his national electoral debut in Lok Sabha election 2019, contesting and winning the Gandhinagar seat. He had joined the BJP in 1987, a year before Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While Modi, technically his junior, may have surged past him to first become the chief minister of Gujarat and then the Prime Minister of India, there is little doubt that Amit Shah has emerged as the second-most powerful person in the party, its chief strategist and one that even a leader as popular as the PM turns to for some of the most important political decisions.

If PM Modi is the face of the BJP, Shah is the backbone. Having led the party as president from 2014 to 2019, and through some of its sharpest electoral victories, he has made himself fairly indispensable to this avatar of the BJP.

Shah is recognized for his unapologetic and sometimes coarse political style, as well as his cunning strategies.

From reforming criminal laws, repealing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, to ensuring fool-proof security at India’s G20 event, home minister Amit Shah has always been at his sharopest while devising strategies.

HERE ARE FEW INSTANCES WHICH SHOWS HIS CHANKAYA NEETI: –

1. Article 370 Abrogation and Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization 2019: The repeal of Article 370 in 2019 and the subsequent reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir into two Union Territories highlighted Shah’s bold and decisive leadership, akin to Chanakya’s firm governance. By tackling long-existing constitutional discrepancies and overhauling administrative frameworks, Shah affirmed his dedication to national integration and efficient governance, mirroring Chanakya’s focus on resolute actions for the collective benefit.
2. Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019: Amit Shah’s execution of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) reflects his strategic prowess, reminiscent of Chanakya’s political wisdom. The CAA was designed to grant citizenship to persecuted minorities from adjacent nations, simultaneously tackling security issues. Shah’s adept management of this divisive matter demonstrated his skill in harmonizing diplomatic policies with the nation’s priorities, mirroring Chanakya’s practical methods of governance.
3. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Amit Shah was instrumental in the development and execution of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which is designed to overhaul India’s education system for the modern era. The NEP introduces comprehensive reforms that promote interdisciplinary studies, vocational training, technological integration, and a versatile curriculum structure. Shah’s forward-thinking in educational reform highlights his dedication to cultivating human resources and advancing national progress, aligning with Chanakya’s philosophy of equipping the youth to guide the country to affluence.
4. Elections:  In 2014, Shah was architect of the BJP’s triumph in Lok Sabha Elections. Amit Shah’s unwavering dedication and an uncanny ability to gauge public sentiment have been instrumental in the party’s success. His knack for perfecting party strategies and navigating complex challenges has earned him comparisons to Pranab Mukherjee during the UPA era.  They further solidified their success with an overwhelming win in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP achieved its largest ever individual seat count of 303.Under Shah’s leadership, the BJP achieved success in Legislative Assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand and Assam from 2014 to 2016. He led the party towards a landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Gujarat, and marked the party’s strong debut in Manipur.