NEW DELHI: Exuding confidence about BJP‘s prospects in Delhi polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Union Budget presented a day earlier “the most pro-middle class in India’s history”, highlighted measures announced by the finance minister and wooed govt employees by pointing to the announcement of the new Pay Commission.
“See you at the victory celebrations on Feb 8,” Modi said, as he addressed a public meeting, his last before the polls, in the middle-class colony of R K Puram on Sunday, claiming that AAP was headed for a defeat. “Today is Basant Panchami. With Basant Panchami, the weather starts to change. In three days, on Feb 5, a new spring of development is about to arrive in Delhi. AAP-da party of Delhi has ruined the last 11 years here. Now, let’s not allow them to ruin the next five years,” he said.
In a hardsell of the middle class-friendly budget, Modi said, “Earlier, the country’s hard-earned money went into scams, and a few people pocketed it. But BJP govt is dedicating this budget for the welfare of citizens. To build a ‘Viksit Bharat’, I gave guarantees to strengthen four key pillars – farmers, youth, poor and women. This budget ensures that my guarantees are fulfilled.”
He made a jibe at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal who is engaged in an outreach to the middle class. “Those who live in ‘Sheesh Mahal’ can’t relate to the jhuggis of the poor or the 2BHKs of the middle classs,” he said.
Stating that only BJP respected the middle class, Modi said, “I want to present a picture to you. If you earned Rs 12 lakh during the time of Nehru, the govt would take back one-fourth of your salary as tax. Under Indira Gandhi’s govt, Rs 2 lakh of it would go in taxes. Even 10-12 years ago, under Congress govt, if you earned Rs 12 lakh, you would have to return Rs 2,60,000. But now, under BJP govt, someone earning Rs 12 lakh won’t have to pay a single rupee in extra tax.”
Modi also made a pitch for govt employees who are an important part of the electorate in the South Delhi constituency. “After the setting up of the 8th Pay Commission, salaries of govt employees and who help me implement plans for the development and pensions of those who have retired, are going to rise.”
Targeting AAP, the PM accused the party of spreading falsehoods. “No jhuggis will be demolished in Delhi and no welfare schemes will be shut if BJP comes to office,” he said, as the crowd erupted in cheers. The air was filled with chants of ‘Modi hai toh mumkin hai’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’.
Calling Kejriwal’s party AAP-da (disaster) once again, the PM said, “Even before voting in Delhi, the jhaadu (AAP symbol) is falling apart as AAP-da leaders are abandoning it, realising the growing discontent among the people.”
“People from AAP-da even indulge in scams with your treatment and medicine… they loot you. I promise, those who looted Delhi will have to return what they’ve taken. AAP has given Delhi diseases – pollution is causing harm, respiratory diseases are on the rise, and look at the state of the Yamuna. There is no section of society that hasn’t been negatively impacted. The BJP govt will bring an end to all of this. This is Modi’s guarantee,” he added.
In the middle of the address, the PM paused twice to admire sketches made by children in the crowd. The kids were holding up their artwork for him, prompting him to ask them their names and addresses so he could write to them.
Reaching out to people from Poorvanchal, the PM said, “Poorvanchalis made me an MP, they also made me the PM. But AAP and Congress have a problem with them. They work in Delhi and contribute to its development. But when Covid hit, AAP spread lies and forced our brothers and sisters from Poorvanchal to leave Delhi. The BJP govt will support the people of Poorvanchal in every possible way.”