In her first major political rally ahead of the February 7 Assembly polls, BJP’s chief ministerial nominee Kiran Bedi, on Saturday, promised to constitute a civil defence force “within three days” of coming to power, if the party is given the mandate.
While she spoke particularly about women’s security in the rally at CBD Ground Shahdara where Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned for the party, BJP president Amit Shah lashed out at the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) calling them “imported” and “liars” respectively, at the same time urging the crowd to vote for a “structured” party.
Bedi, who was hardly seen talking in rallies in the past few days, began her address by recalling her parents who, she said, “would have been proud” of her. With this, she connected with the crowd explaining them how education was important for women’s empowerment.
Restricting her blueprint strictly to women’s security on Saturday, the former IPS officer said, “In the past seven days, I did roadshows in 100 wards covering 25 constituencies, and everywhere mothers have come up to me in tears urging me to do something drastic towards safety of women. I promise to form a civil defence force consisting of youths as well as Home Guards in just three days after I become the Chief Minister.” She also added that volunteers who work well would be given a Good Samaritan Award.
Putting cameras in buses, reviving the 181 distress helpline, connecting it with the Himmat application of Delhi Police, and opening polytechnic institutes in schools for skill development also had a mention in her 10-minute long speech.
Meanwhile, BJP chief Amit Shah compared the Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with that of the UPA’s tenure. “From 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent during Congress’ rule, the BJP in just eight months has brought down inflation to 0-1 per cent. There were scams to the tune of Rs12 lakh crore during UPA Government and during our time, there has been none,” Shah said, addressing the rally at CBD Ground in Shahdara.
Talking about AAP, he said its convener “Arvind Kejriwal never does what he says.” “AAP said they will never form a political party and will never take the support of Congress, but later took Congress’ support to form Government in Delhi. They (AAP) said they would take action against Sheila Dikshit but did not. They said they will not take a Government bungalow but took a duplex. They have always lied to the people of Delhi,” Shah alleged.