PM Modi gives a call for change in AAP-ruled Delhi

Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of a number of developmental projects in the national capital, where the PM's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is still out of power despite ruling the Centre for 10 years.

"AAP has descended upon Delhi like an 'Aapda' (disaster). These people openly engage in corruption and even celebrate it," said Modi in a fierce attack on AAP, which is spearheaded by former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"AAP, the 'Aapda', has befallen Delhi. That's why the people of Delhi have launched a war against this disaster. Delhi is saying in unison, 'We will not tolerate Aapda so we will bring a change," the PM added.

Over Centre's Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which provides free health service to all aged 70 or more, Modi slammed the AAP for stalling the implementation of the health scheme in Delhi.

Modi said, "I want to give the benefit of 'Ayushman Bharat' scheme which provides free medical treatment facility to the people of Delhi.

"The AAP government has a big enmity towards the people of Delhi. Ayushman Yojana is implemented in the whole country, but the AAP people are not allowing this scheme to be implemented here (Delhi). The people of Delhi are suffering the loss due to this."

In his address, Modi indirectly attacked Kejriwal, a former bureaucrat, over the alleged liquor scam in which the former CM along with several of his colleagues were arrested.

"For the past 10 years, Delhi has been surrounded by a big AAP. By putting Anna Hazare in the forefront, some bigoted and dishonest people pushed Delhi into disaster.

"Scam in liquor shops, scam in children's schools, scam in treatment of poor people, scam in the name of recruitments... These people used to talk about development of Delhi, but these people have attacked Delhi by becoming AAP-Da," the PM said in an all-out attack on AAP, which drew a blank in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Delhi."

The union territory, where the law and order is controlled by the Centre, is expected to go to polls by February 23, when the current assembly will expire.

In the 2020 Delhi assembly elections, the AAP swept 62 out of 70 seats while the BJP bagged only eight despite an aggressive campaigning.