Delhi Polls: Punish party that backstabbed Delhi, says PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Stepping up the attack on Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi oyesterday asked Delhi not to repeat its “mistake“ of voting for a party that backstabbed and left it in the lurch. At his second election rally--first in a series of four back-to-back rallies in Delhi, he asked people to give BJP a clear mandate to ensure the city's holistic development.

Addressing a large crowd at CBD Ground, east Delhi, Modi said, "People can go wrong once, but not repeatedly . They have backstabbed you and left you midway. And you have punished them (during Lok Sabha elections)".

Without naming AAP, Modi referred to its humiliating defeat in Lok Sabha elections: "You didn't spare those who have destroyed the city. They created a world record of forfeited deposits".He likened the party to an auto driver who cheats customers by making false promises. "You can fool people once, but not twice."

Seeking a decisive mandate, Modi said BJP could not form a government in 2013 as it fell short of a few seats. "I'm sure you will give us a chance to form a government this time". The chant of "Modi, Modi" continued throughout his 30-minute speech but became feverish when he told the crowd he was there to "serve them" and "Jis tareh vishwa mein bharat ka danka baja hai, waise hi Hindustan mein Dilli ka danka bajega (Delhi will be celebrated in India the way India is celebrated in the world)".

The Prime Minister arrived at the venue in a helicopter, leading to a lot of excitement in the crowd. Police said the rally was attended by roughly 30,000-35,000 people. They were wearing saffron caps and Modi masks, and waving BJP flags.

Praising BJP's chief ministerial candidate, Kiran Bedi, he said, "She knows Delhi inside out. She will take Del hi to new heights". Coming out in support of Bedi, who was criticized for referring to US President Barack Obama's India visit in her election rally, Modi said, "Had he (Obama) come just to attend Republic Day celebrations, the same people would have left no chance to slam us in their election campaign in the city . Then no one would have questioned why they (BJP's rivals) are referring to it as failure of the visit".

He stressed on his government's success in changing the world's perception about India. Reiterating his request for a clear mandate, he said, "Today , the world is looking at India. And the reason is you (people). You have given a clear mandate to BJP at the Centre. When I meet world leaders, they see the confidence of the public in my eyes".

Modi mentioned what all his government has done for Delhi in the past few months, from the water problem with Haryana to tackling corruption. "Congress couldn't solve the water issue with Haryana despite being in power at the Centre and in both states. We have managed to solve the issue. As for corruption, I'm taking steps to curb it. We are working on schemes for poor people. We will provide housing to those living in slums," he said.

BJP chief Amit Shah, Kiran Bedi, Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay , whom Modi described as an old friend, all seven Delhi MPs, Union tourism minister Mahesh Sharma, BJP organization secretary Ram Lal, and 20 candidates attended the rally.