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Lok Sabha elections 2019: In first Delhi rally, PM Modi takes on AAP, slams it for ‘non-performance’
The PM, without naming the AAP, said Delhi is the only state where there is a new political culture of “nakampanthi (non-performance)”, as established by the ruling dispensation.
In his first rally this elections in the national capital’s Ramlila Maidan Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for its failure to deliver on its promises and the Congress for offering nothing other than dynastic politics.
The PM, without naming the AAP, said Delhi is the only state where there is a new political culture of “nakampanthi (non-performance)”, as established by the ruling dispensation. He also accused the AAP of supporting “tukde-tukde” gang and the separatist forces.
He said there are four types of political culture — ‘naampanthi’ (dynastic politics), ‘vaampanthi’ (left politics) and ‘damanpanthi’ (hooliganism) and ‘vikaspanthi’ (development). “But Delhi has seen a fifth model — ‘nakampanthi. They (AAP) had come to change the country, but they changed themselves. They supported ‘tukde tukde’ gang and strengthened India’s enemies…The naamdars (Congress) is responsible for setting up the ‘nakampanthi model,” he said.
In his 45-minute speech, the PM sought support for BJP’s seven candidates. He listed out central government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and 10% quota in education and government jobs for the poor in the general category, which were blocked by the state government, he alleged. “They (AAP) have become a major hurdle in the implementation of welfare schemes. While the Ayushman scheme is being implemented in central hospitals, it is yet to be implemented in Delhi government hospitals,” Modi said.
On AAP, which was born out of a public movement – India Against Corruption — Modi said that they have tarnished the image of the common people and made it difficult for any social movement to gain a political platform.
Hitting out at the Congress, Modi said this was the first time that “inflation” is not a poll issue. “Inflation was always a poll issue, but now the opposition is not able to corner the government on this,” he said.
Countering the Congress’s attack on the BJP for politicising the armed forces and the surgical strike, Modi said, “INS Viraat was misused by turning it into a personal taxi. This happened when Rajiv Gandhi and his family were on a 10-day vacation. INS Viraat was deployed for securing our maritime boundaries. But it was diverted to take the Gandhi family, which was on a vacation.”
On this, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “Indians are more interested in knowing who are those special people who travel with you on your state visits abroad. Why do RTIs seeking information on your co-travellers get stonewalled, Mr Prime Minister?
Referring to Congress’s Nyay scheme, Modi said the party should first talk about the “annyay (injustice)” done to the families of the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
“Pushed to the wall, PM is lying and manipulating through his teeth. Priyanka Gandhi herself replied and challenged him to a debate on demonetisation, GST, his promise to deliver 10 crore jobs. Instead PM Modi ended up ensuring the highest rate of joblessness in 45 years,” said Congress spokesperson Pranav Jha.
