Delhi polls: Modi slams AAP’s ‘false claims’, guarantees no slum demolitions or halt to welfare schemes if BJP wins

Speaking at a rally in Delhi’s RK Puram, Modi reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to slum dwellers, highlighting that the party has ensured nutritious meals for them at just Rs 5.

“A welfare board will be established for auto drivers and domestic workers, offering insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh. The BJP government will also provide assistance with their children's school fees. I give another guarantee: these AAP-Da people are spreading falsehoods, but not a single slum in Delhi will be demolished. The welfare schemes for the public in Delhi will not be stopped,” PM Modi was quoted as saying by ANI.

His statement came in response to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s allegation on January 12 that the BJP, if elected, would demolish slums in the next five years, leaving people homeless.

The Prime Minister also underscored the BJP’s commitment to the Purvanchali community, acknowledging their role in making him both an MP and the Prime Minister.

“For decades, people with a jungle raj mentality, from Congress, ignored the people of Bihar. But today, the NDA government is working tirelessly for Bihar. By announcing the Makhana Board, the government has honoured Bihar’s Makhana. Most of the Makhana farming families in Bihar belong to Dalit communities, and when I work for their welfare, these people (Congress) make fun of it,” PM Modi stated.

He reiterated that the BJP will continue to support the Purvanchali community across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.

Highlighting the recently announced Union Budget, Modi asserted that the BJP is the only party that truly respects the middle class and rewards honest taxpayers.

“Since the budget was announced yesterday, the entire middle class has been saying that this is the most middle-class-friendly budget in the history of India. Every family in India is brimming with happiness and enthusiasm.

"Our government has completely zeroed income tax on earnings up to Rs 12 lakh. Since independence, no one earning Rs 12 lakh a year has ever received such significant relief from income tax,” the Prime Minister noted, reported ANI.

He further compared the BJP’s tax policies to past Congress governments, stating:  “For a person with a salary of Rs 12 lakh during Jawaharlal Nehru’s time, one-fourth would have gone to tax. If Indira Gandhi's government were in power today, Rs 10 lakh of your Rs 12 lakh would have gone to the government as tax.

"Even just 10-12 years ago, during the Congress era, if you had a salary of Rs 12 lakh, Rs 2,60,000 would have gone as tax. But after yesterday’s BJP government budget, those earning Rs 12 lakh will not have to pay a single rupee in tax.”

Attacking the Congress, Modi alleged that while previous governments imposed taxes only to fill their own coffers, the BJP government utilises the treasury to provide relief and empower ordinary citizens.

He also highlighted the BJP’s healthcare initiatives, stating that medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras are already available at an 80% discount, and the new budget will further reduce prices for more than 30 medicines used to treat cancer and other serious illnesses.

“Senior citizens in Delhi will greatly benefit from the new budget. Retired government employees will pay less tax and receive higher pensions. The BJP government aims to support senior citizens with these initiatives.

"The Delhi BJP has announced a pension of Rs 2,500 for senior citizens, along with free medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh per year,” he said.

Discussing investments in sports, Modi noted that the sports budget has been raised to nearly Rs 3,800 crore, with Rs 1,000 crore allocated for the "Khelo India" campaign.

“The people of Delhi will never forget how AAP and Congress deceived them in the name of sports. The Commonwealth scam’s stain is so deep that Congress will never be able to free itself from it.

"The AAP party’s actions in the name of the Sports University in Delhi are well known to the people and youth of Delhi. That’s why today’s youth of India trusts the BJP and stands with the BJP,” the Prime Minister emphasised.