‘Disaster’ of AAP will be removed from Delhi, says PM Modi at Parivartan rally; Kejriwal hits back

PM Modi rallies against AAP, promises development in Delhi, while Kejriwal criticizes Central govt, at BJP's Parivartan rally.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (January 5, 2025) made the “We will not tolerate disaster, will bring change” pitch against the Aam Aadmi Party as he addressed a gathering of thousands at Japanese Park in Sector - 10, Rohini, ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections due this year. Multiple leaders and MPs shared the grand stage with Mr. Modi at the BJP’s Parivartan rally.

Later in the day, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal retorted by raising multiple promises that, he said, the Central government has not fulfilledand because of which Delhi’s development has stopped. He said that the PM is only interested in abusing him, and that the AAP is still working with the Centre on different development projects, as the Centre governs half of Delhi since it is not a full state, for the benefit of the people of Delhi.

At the rally, Mr. Modi said, “For the elections, the Delhi BJP has brought forward promising faces. Now, the dreams of the poor and the middle class will be fulfilled in Delhi. For youth, there will be a promising future with opportunities, and I am confident that lotus (the party symbol) is going to bloom in Delhi Assembly elections….”

In his appeal to the people of Delhi, he said, “I am here, to appeal to the people of Delhi to give an opportunity to BJP for Delhi’s bright future as it is the BJP that can develop Delhi. In the last 10 years, the government that Delhi has seen is no less than AAP-DA (disaster), and now we can only hear AAP-DA nahi sahenge, badal ke rahenge (We will not tolerate disaster, will bring change) in Delhi. The people of Delhi want development and have trust in BJP...”

The PM further said, “We’re in 2025, a quarter of a century has passed, and during this time, probably 2-3 generations of youth in Delhi have grown up. But now, the upcoming 25 years are important for India’s future, and Delhi’s future. In these 25 years, India will become a developed nation, and we will be able to see this journey of developed India before our eyes. We will see India passing through a new phase of modernity. India will become the third largest economic power in the world. It is very important that our Delhi, the capital of the country, walks step by step in this journey. We must develop Delhi as the capital of a developed India...”

Mr. Modi targeted Mr. Kejriwal for building a ‘sheesh mahal’ (glass palace) for himself, referring to the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in the renovation of the CM’s official residence. He said, “Today, entire Delhi is proud of Bharat Mandapam, Yasho Bhoomi, Kartavya Path. However, I feel sad that the AAP-DA government wasted 10 years of the people of Delhi. Today, a newspaper even revealed the expenditure on the ‘sheesh mahal’ based on a CAG report. When the people of Delhi were fighting COVID, these people were focused on building a ‘sheesh mahal.’ They are not bothered about the people of Delhi...”

He said the AAP government left no stone unturned in destroying Delhi’s transport system. “They did not pay attention to the maintenance of buses, and the common people suffered the loss… look at the condition they have created. When it’s summer, the Delhi people fight over drinking water; when it rains, streets are waterlogged; and in winter, it gets difficult to breathe in polluted air,” he said.