| Narendra Modi takes a dig at AAP, says image of Delhi can’t be tarred by anarchy | | | Agencies
New Delhi, Jan 11: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his party’s campaign for the forthcoming Delhi Assembly elections, it was clear who the BJP considers its main opposition in the Capital: the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
From saying that its leaders who have called themselves anarchists should join Naxals in the jungle, to making promises targeted at AAP’s main vote banks, and seeking a stable government, Modi also underlined that the BJP was ready for the battle.
In his 38-minute speech to an almost packed audience at the Ramlila Maidan here, the PM didn’t name AAP once — a sign as good as any of how seriously it takes the threat posed by the party that has managed to recover from its Lok Sabha poll setback. Referring to it as a “factory of lies”, Modi promised Delhi residents round-the-clock electricity at cheaper prices, solution to their water problems and a city free of slums by 2022.
Power and water are the main poll themes of AAP, and slumdwellers among its main vote banks.
In his speech that preceded Modi’s, BJP president Amit Shah too targeted AAP, again without naming the party.
Going so far as to claim that Delhi would be “taken over by Naxalism” under AAP, Modi said: “Have you ever seen a politician who calls himself an anarchist? If you are one, go to the jungle and join Naxalites. We cannot let Delhi be gripped by Naxalism. Delhi is the country’s Capital.”
“Here, decent people live,” Modi added. “The country’s politics is centred here. World mein Delhi ki ek shaan honi chahiye, wo shaan anarchy ki taraf nahi jane dena chahiye (The world must look up to Delhi. That image of Delhi can’t be tarred by anarchy). Delhi needs governance, accountable government and people. Anarchy will not benefit Delhi, it will destroy it. We need to save Delhi, take it to new heights. I know the BJP will form a stable government.”
Targeting AAP’s votes among the poor, Modi said: “Garibon ki ameeri dekhiye, woh zero balance se khata khulwa sakte the phir bhi unhone mujh par vishwas dikhaya aur kisi ne 2, kisi ne 5 rupaiye jama karwaye, and banks ko 8,500 crore rupaiye ka deposit mila (Look at the largeheartedness of the poor. They could have opened accounts with zero deposit but someone gave Rs 2, Rs 5, and banks collected Rs 8,500 crore as deposit)… Now I have a dream. Delhi is the country’s capital. Is it nice that people here live in slums, on the footpath? I want your blessings to build pucca houses in place of every slum by 2022.”
Promising a Capital free of generators, the PM added, “We will bring competition to power companies. Delhi residents would be able to choose their electricity supplier like their mobile service provider, which will in turn force companies to lower the electricity rates. You will also be rid of the poisonous gases which diesel generators emit.” He referred to the discussion Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu had had with Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, both of whom were present on the dais, to say that talks were on to source water from the Munak canal soon. “We have started work on finding a solution to the city’s water scarcity.” Attacking AAP further, Modi advised BJP workers not to focus their energies on “the masters of dharna” as people themselves would defeat “the liars”. “They are spreading lies that we will lessen the retirement age to 58 years when we come to power. We have not even thought about it. Everyday they will manufacture a lie, this is their politics. Do not trust who cheated you. Modi will not deceive you like them,” the PM said. Attacking AAP further for its politics of protest, Modi added, “Give a person the job he or she is good at. Unki mastery footpath par baith kar raste rokne ki mastery hai, dharna dene ki hai. Hamari good governance dene ki hai (They are experts in blocking roads, holding protests. Our expertise is in providing good governance). Give right people the right job. I know you will vote right.” In his speech, Shah said: “Their CM took his oath at this Ram Lila Maidan, they came in the metro. Do they still travel in the metro? If you want to see the common man, look at this stage. Our Haryana and Jharkhand CMs come from ordinary backgrounds.” Targeting AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal for his allegations of fake electoral rolls, Shah added: “How many voting cards did you have before 2013?” “He even went to Benaras to become PM, but people sent him back. It is not right that the country will develop and Delhi will not.” The rally was attended by the BJP’s seven Delhi MPs, Rajya Sabha MP and former party state president Vijay Goel, the CMs of Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand as well as Union ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Harsh Vardhan and Jitendra Singh. |
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