Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday voiced his strong support for the AAP ahead of the upcoming Delhi assembly election, declaring that the AAP's party symbol, the "Jhaadu" (broom), would sweep away the BJP.
Addressing a poll rally alongside AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Yadav emphasized the importance of supporting AAP in order to defeat the BJP in the election, scheduled for February 5, with results to be declared on February 8.
Speaking at a public gathering in Kirari, Yadav expressed his confidence in AAP's ability to win. "Their party symbol, 'Jhaadu', is going to sweep away the BJP's dishonesty. I appeal to everyone to vote in favor of AAP and against BJP. If we want to defeat the BJP, every vote should go to AAP," he stated.
Yadav urged voters to come together to oust the BJP and emphasized that votes must not be wasted. "Your vote should not be wasted. Every vote for AAP is a vote to defeat the BJP," he said.
Yadav also praised AAP's performance in governance, particularly in education, healthcare, and its policies regarding electricity and water concessions. He asked voters if they wanted to lose these benefits, pointing out that even BJP leaders now claimed they wouldn't discontinue AAP’s schemes.
"Do you want to lose these schemes? Even BJP leaders are scared of them and are saying they will not shut down any of AAP’s schemes," Yadav added. Although Yadav campaigned for AAP, he refrained from mentioning Congress, a fellow ally in the INDIA bloc but a rival in Delhi’s political contest.
"This time BJP may lose all 70 seats in Delhi. I can say that the AAP government will be formed in Delhi once again. AAP's good governance will defeat BJP's misgovernance. All the works of AAP are historic. All the decisions taken by AAP are benefiting the poor and common people of Delhi. The people of Delhi know that if AAP remains, they will keep getting all the facilities," he said.
Kejriwal, speaking at the same rally, accused the BJP and Congress of working together to unseat AAP. He warned the public that voting for either party would lead to the same outcome. "This time, BJP and Congress are working together. Voting for Congress means voting for BJP. Press the wrong button, and life will become miserable," Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal highlighted the achievements of his government, such as free water, healthcare services, and bus rides for women. He asserted that these initiatives save households over Rs 25,000 annually and would be in jeopardy if BJP came to power.
Despite being part of the INDIA bloc, several key parties, including the Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), have endorsed AAP in Delhi over Congress. In the Kirari seat, AAP’s Anil Jha will contest against BJP’s Bajrang Shukla and Congress’s Rajesh Gupta.