NEW DELHI: In a hard-hitting attack on AAP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called it "backstabber" and asked Delhiites not to repeat the "mistake" of voting for the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.
During his over half-an-hour address at an election rally, Modi sought a clear mandate for the BJP, which fell short of majority in the 2013 polls, and asserted that his party will provide such a clean and stable government which people have "never seen" in the past, countering AAP's key election plank.
Taking on AAP without naming the party, Modi made fun of its performance in the Lok Sabha elections, saying it "created a world record in forfeiting deposits".
"The very people whom you voted for last time stabbed in your back. They shattered your dreams and destroyed Delhi. You gave them a befitting punishment in Lok Sabha polls. People do not repeat their mistakes again and again," Modi said in the rally at Viswas Nagar in east Delhi.
Calling Delhi the face of India, he said this election would decide how the country is seen at the global stage. "There is no better place than Delhi for India's identity."
Modi also complimented Kiran Bedi, whose annointment as the party's Chief Ministerial candidate ruffled feathers in Delhi BJP, for her administrative abilities.
"She knows Delhi inside out. She has administrative experience and is well versed with the history and geography of Delhi. She is a woman with strong determination. She will take Delhi to new heights," the Prime Minister said.
Trying to woo the poor and the lower strata of the society, who are seen as backbone of AAP's support base, he said his government has already launched a war on corruption and promised in-situ development of slums.
"My government is for the poor. My plan is to replace all slums with concrete houses by 2022 when India celebrates its 75th year of Independence and I want to start it from Delhi,"
Highlights of Modi's speech:
* MKrishnanagar will give the new chief minister of Delhi, Modi said
* Elect a govt with whom I can work shoulder to shoulder towards making a positive difference in your lives
* I want to serve every street of Delhi
* This election is about what kind of image India will have in front of the world.
* You are the voters of Delhi. But, this election is not only about who your MLA or who your CM will be.
* Ours is a government for the poor and dedicated to the poor
* Delhi needs a stable government. Kiran ji knows Delhi well
* I want to serve every street of Delhi
* Had Delhi not given us all 7 MPs then would it have been possible for me to come
* Yamuna can be the pride of Delhi. But what is the condition of the Yamuna? All this can be changed
* Had Obama come to Delhi only as chief guest and nothing worthwhile would have happened, our critiques would have willfully condemned me
* Today when someone shakes hands with Modi and looks into his eyes, they don't see Modi, but the reflection of the Indian populace
User Comments ( 0 )