AAP used Delhi as an ATM to fund its ambitions in other States, says Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with BJP leaders at an election rally at Dwarka in New Delhi on Friday.
| Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday, saying it has used Delhi “as an ATM” to fund its ambitions in other States. He also took on Delhi’s ruling party for its “extravagant” advertisement expenditure, saying the Centre had spent as much on widening Delhi’s roads as AAP had on promoting itself.

Addressing a rally in Dwarka, Mr. Modi said as soon as the BJP comes to power in the national capital, it will act against “those who looted Delhi”.

“AAP party has been concealing CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) reports that unearth their corruption. When the BJP comes to power, it will table these reports in the very first session of the Assembly,” said the PM.

He said Delhi needs “taal-mel (harmony)”, not “taqraar (confrontation)”, adding that the AAP government has been fighting with everyone, including the people of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Focus on infrastructure

He appealed to voters to spread awareness about the party’s ‘Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makkan’ scheme, saying, “For me, you are Modi. If you see anyone living in a slum, tell them from my side that it is BJP’s guarantee that we will make permanent houses for them if we come to power.”

“The extent to which BJP wants to modernise Delhi can be seen here in Dwarka,” said Mr. Modi, referring to the Yashbhoomi India International Convention and Expo Centre in Dwarka, which he inaugurated in September 2023.

The PM said the BJP had plans to clean the Yamuna river, and develop it along the lines of Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati riverfront.