Poll campaign hit crescendo; PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Sonia Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal at rallies

NEW DELHI: With just four days left for it to end, the high octane campaigning in Delhi Assembly polls reached its crescendo today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP Chief Amit Shah, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal pulled no punches in taking on rivals.

As Sonia jumped into the campaign mode for the first time in the February 7 polls, the four leaders traded charges and countercharges with the Congress President slamming 'pracharak' Modi and 'dharnebaaj' Kejriwal. Sonia also asked voters to guard against "politics of hatred".

Wooing voters to back BJP and not to support those who believed in 'dharnas', the Prime Minister took a swipe at his opponents who say prices of petrol and diesel have come down in India because Modi is "lucky".

The "rivals", particularly the Congress, say the prices have come down just because he is "lucky", he said, adding "Do you want a lucky person or someone who is less lucky?

Taunting his rivals, he said, "Ok, let's accept that I am lucky but you have saved money. If Modi's luck is benefitting the people, what can be more fortunate? If because of my good luck, prices of petrol and diesel get reduced and common man saves more, then what is need for bringing someone who is unlucky?"

Modi was addressing a rally in Dwarka in south west Delhi-- the second in as many days.

Taking on both AAP and Congress, Modi said they "forge friendship behind the curtains" to form a government, apparently referring to their alliance last year.

"However, as soon as polls were declared, they start competing each other in spreading lies which could lead to sensation and give them some space in the media," he added.

Targeting Kejriwal, he asked people whether they want development or 'dharnas'.

Modi said the city will suffer if the electorate vote for someone who is more interested in "dharnas" and "looking for space in TV media" than talking about issues to address them.

Responding to the constant 'dharna' jibes at him, Kejriwal said," I don't sit on dharna for myself. I sit on Dharna for people."

Taking a dig at Modi, Kejriwal said at his rally in Shastrinagar he thought the prime minister will speak about big schemes but he kept speaking against him.

Addressing her first election rally Delhi at Meethapur near Badarpur, Sonia asked voters to save Delhi from those who make only "hollow promises".

"While one party has a pracharak, who only does 'prachar' the other just a dharnebaaj, who is all the time busy organising dharnas. Delhi needs good governance and not false promises... BJP and AAP can only talk big and make hollow promises.

She also raked up the issue of communal violence that took place in some parts of Delhi before the Assembly election dates were announced and alleged that it was being done to "capture power" in the state.

"There are some forces which cause incidents like what happened in Trilokpuri and Dilshad Garden. Such forces will have to be defeated which spread the politics of hatred," she said, as she appealed to people to strengthen secular forces.

Sonia also alleged that BJP kept on "delaying" elections in Delhi and "continued with its rule" here in the name of President's rule.