The atmosphere was reverberating with loud chants of 'Ab nahi sahege, Badal k rahenge' (we will not tolerate, we will change) and 'Modi ji ko Jai Shree Ram' when Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday came down heavily on the ruling party accusing it of turning Delhi into its ATM for political gains and promising to clean Yamuna river and starting an underwater metro at a public meeting in Dwarka ahead of the Delhi assembly elections.
"I am giving you my guarantee that the BJP government will not leave any stone unturned to develop Delhi. In the past 10 years, 'AAP-da' has fought with everyone-centre, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh. They do not let us implement central government schemes. If they remain here, Delhi will be left behind in development," he said.
Stating that the national Capital needs a double-engine government, Modi asserted, "Delhi me takrar wali nahi, talmel wali sarkar chahiye. (Delhi needs a government of coordination, not conflict)."
He added that Delhi needs to be free from the 'AAP-da' (disaster) of 'loot' and 'jhoot' (lies). He claimed, "Aap-da has made Delhi an ATM for shining their politics. When they have to contest elections in other states, they rob the pockets of Delhi."
"As soon as we form the government, we will hit harder on AAP's corruption. Those who have looted Delhi will have to pay back. In the first session of assembly, we will table the CAG report which has accounts of 'AAP-da' government's corruption," he claimed.
Scores of party workers and supporters gathered to listen to Modi while waving party flags and wearing saffron turbans and caps. The crowd frequently broke out in a clamour, shouting 'Jai Shree Ram' and 'Modi, Modi'.
He alleged that in the fear of defeat, AAP can go to any lengths to win the elections while stating that people are questioning them on water wherever they are going to seek votes. Accusing the AAP of lying to the people because of their anger, he said, "The AAP has made a disgusting allegation against the people of the land which preaches Geeta to the people. They do not have shame or hesitation. Please be warned they will go to any lengths to prove they are right before elections."
Calling Yamuna River a symbol of 'spiritual' and 'economic' power is not just a river, he put the blame of it being in danger because of AAP. He mentioned that as a Chief Minister of Gujarat he made a world class riverfront in Ahmedabad.
"I have experience of working and I will personally give time to the Delhi government. We will clean Yamuna and change the future of Delhi-NCR. We have a step by step process for it. We will clean the water of Yamuna, second we will make a modern river front and in the corners of Yamuna we will make a corridor to promote tourism. Further, we will also start an underwater metro," he added.
He assured the people of Delhi to give Yamuna recognition from all over the world. "When we clean a river, we make India's future more prosperous. For centuries people will remember those who voted for BJP on February 5," Modi added.
He highlighted the recently inaugurated Yashobhoomi convention centre as a testament to the BJP's vision for a modern Delhi. "The BJP wants to make Delhi modern, and a glimpse of that can be seen in Dwarka after the Centre constructed the majestic Yashobhoomi here," he said.
Recalling AAP's promises during Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement, he remarked, "During Anna Andolan, they promised to change the country's politics. The country is seeing how they betrayed Anna Hazare and the people."
Modi accused AAP of spending only 20 per cent of Delhi's budget on development while neglecting its infrastructure. "AAP is not spending Delhi's money on the people but on their own publicity. Those who live in 'sheesh mahal' don't care about the houses of the poor; AAP is anti-middle class," he charged. Reaffirming his commitment to Delhi's development, he declared, "I guarantee that the BJP government will not leave any stone unturned in Delhi's progress. It's my dream to provide pucca houses to all in Delhi, but AAPda is working with full strength to ensure this is not fulfilled." The prime minister accused AAP of blocking the allocation of fully constructed houses to the poor while focusing on luxurious accommodations for themselves. "Modi will help construct pucca houses for all poor in Delhi. This is my guarantee," he asserted.
Modi also announced that in the first Cabinet meeting of a BJP-led government, a decision would be taken to transfer Rs 2,500 into the accounts of Delhi's women and described it as "Modi's guarantee."
Continuing his criticism of AAP, Modi said, "They have made grand promises, but where is the infrastructure? Where are the jobs they claimed they would create? Delhi deserves better than broken promises and political gimmicks." He accused AAP leaders of misleading the people. "They talk about development, but all they have done is build a model of corruption. The people of Delhi are paying the price for their deceit," he claimed.
Highlighting the BJP's contributions, Modi noted, "The Centre has allocated thousands of crores for Delhi's infrastructure, yet nothing changes on the ground. AAP's only achievement is empty rhetoric." He assured that if the BJP came to power, Delhi's civic issues would be swiftly addressed.
"From better roads to improved water supply, we will bring real transformation.
No more excuses, only solutions," he declared, urging voters to prioritise voting on February 5, stating 'phle matdan fir jalpan' (first vote then eat).
