New Delhi, Feb 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal Sunday made determined bids to woo the people of Delhi for Feb 7 assembly polls, launching sharp attacks on their rivals while seeking to convey their commitment to politics of development.
Raising the pitch on last Sunday before voting, Modi, Kejriwal and Gandhi addressed rallies in different parts of the national capital and drew enthusiastic response from their supporters.
Though the battle is largely seen to be between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress sees itself as a "dark horse". In the 2013 election to the 70-member assembly, AAP won 28 seats and finished a close second to the BJP which won 31 seats. Congress only got eight.
In his rally in West Delhi's Dwarka area, Modi focused his attack mainly on AAP, and said the national capital needs an administration which works in harmony with his central government.
Gandhi, addressing a rally near Badarpur in south Delhi, slammed Modi as a "pracharak" and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal as "dharnebaaj", while Kejriwal, in his rally at Shastri Nagar in north Delhi, taunted Modi over promises of bring back black money and accused BJP of failing to fulfill its promises on women's security.
Modi hit out at both the AAP and Congress for making "false promises" and in an attack on the former, said Delhi does not need a government "which launches agitations day and night".
He urged people not to give a fractured mandate and ensure full majority for his party, saying even a small activity in the national capital has an impact.
Thanking Delhi's people for their support in the Lok Sabha elections, he said: "I have to return it by doing development. I have to solve problems in every part (of Delhi). Give me a chance to serve you."
Modi said Delhi needs a responsible, sensitive government and running an administration was a serious task. "You cannot do it by running away," he said, taking a dig at Kejriwal who quit as chief minister after 49 days.
Referring to petrol and diesel prices coming down due to international factors since he assumed office, Modi said his rivals credit it to good luck but if "common man can save money due to (my) good luck, why bring someone who does not have good luck".
Gandhi, who addressed her first election rally, said her party would bring back the "atmosphere of development" in Delhi, if voted to power and accused BJP and AAP of making false promises.
"While one party has a pracharak (referring Modi's days in RSS), who only does 'prachar (promotion)', the other has a dharnebaaj (agitator)," she said, adding that the country does not run only on slogans.
Accusing the central government of being anti-farmer and diluting the land acquisition law, Gandhi also raised incidents of communal violence in Trilokpuri and vandalisation of a church in Dilshad Garden, calling for defeating forces which spread "politics of hatred".
She also questioned Modi government's sincerity in fighting corruption while slamming the AAP for running away from its responsibilities by quitting government.
Kejriwal, in his rally, hit back at Congress and BJP leaders and said he sits in protest not for himself but for causes concerning people.
He hit out the BJP for failing to honour its commitment to bring back black money and now giving insurance of Rs.1 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
"Before elections they said we will bring Rs.15 lakh (into each account) in 100 days. After elections, they are saying first you die, then you will get Rs.1 lakh," he said.
Kejriwal also attacked the BJP over remarks of some of its leaders concerning women.
"How will they protect women? If it is in their hands, they will bundle women in a room and lock it from outside," he said.
Rekha Gupta Attack: The attacker was doing recce for 24 hours... video surfaced; Minister Pravesh Verma said this
A new revelation has been made in the case of the attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Delhi Minister Pravesh Sahib Singh said on Wednesday that the accused of attacking Chief Minister Rekha
Only help with accurate Corona infection data
With the increase in coronavirus cases in Delhi, the information provided under the Health Bulletin here is also getting reduced and since the beginning of the second fortnight of June, information
Trump's stance softens on Tariff War! Relief for Mexico and Canada, exemption from tariff till April 2
US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the 25 percent tariff on most goods imported from Mexico has been postponed for a month. This decision was taken after talks with the Mexican
UPTET paper leak: CM Yogi now in action, secretary exam regulator suspended, accused of not maintaining the secrecy
The responsibility of the Uttar Pradesh Teacher Eligibility Test (UP-TET) paper leak case has fallen on Secretary Examination Regulatory Authority Sanjay Kumar Upadhyay. The government has suspended
Our batting was horrendous: Clarke
Auckland, Feb 28 (IANS) Australia skipper Michael Clarke blamed their “horrendous” batting for their one-wicket loss to New Zealand in a World Cup Pool A game at the Eden Park here
AAP crisis: Prashant, Yadav may be out of PAC Wednesday
New Delhi, March 3 (IANS) Minus a last-minute change of mind, AAP leaders Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav may be out of its top body on Wednesday even as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he
Why anti-racist protests are becoming a headache for Trump
Once again, the anti-racism movement in America has gained strength, while the Presidential election has barely three months left. Presidential elections are to be held in the United States on
Shahrukh Khan: King Khan reached his son's event in Dubai, danced on 'Jhoome Jo Pathan', gave a signature pose
Shah Rukh Khan has been supporting his son Aryan Khan's luxury brand since the beginning. Recently, the actor attended an event in Dubai and danced to his song 'Jhoome Jo Pathan' from 'Pathan' at his
Hilsa captive breeding hits roadblock as fries don't survive
Kolkata, Feb 6 (IANS) The research on the captive breeding of Bengal's favourite fish hilsa in saline tank water continues to hit roadblocks as the young fries are not surviving, said an official
Edible Oil: The price of edible oil did not decrease even after the instructions of the government, the arbitrariness of Adani Wilmar and Ruchi Soya
Even after the instructions of the government, the prices of edible oil are not coming down. Regarding this, the government has written a letter to the three major edible oil associations asking them
