New Delhi, February 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dismissed claims made by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and assured the public that under the BJP government, no slums in Delhi would be demolished, and welfare schemes would not be halted. Speaking at a public rally in Delhi's RK Puram, the Prime Minister emphasized the BJP’s commitment to the people of Delhi, especially those living in slums. He announced that the BJP would guarantee nutritious meals at just Rs 5 for slum dwellers.
PM Modi also revealed plans for a welfare board to support auto drivers and domestic workers, providing them with insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh. In addition, the BJP government would assist with children's school fees. "These AAP-Da people are spreading lies. Let me give you another guarantee: not a single slum in Delhi will be demolished, and the welfare schemes for the people of Delhi will not stop," Modi stated firmly.
Earlier, on January 12, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal had claimed that if the BJP returned to power, the slums of Delhi would be demolished in the next five years, leaving many people homeless.
In his address, PM Modi also took a moment to praise the people of Purvanchal, who played a key role in electing him as a Member of Parliament and Prime Minister. He criticized the Congress party for ignoring Bihar’s welfare for decades, noting that the NDA government was working diligently for the state's progress. He cited the announcement of the Makhana Board as an example, highlighting that most Makhana farmers in Bihar belong to Dalit communities and that the government’s efforts to support them were being ridiculed by Congress.
“Whether in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, or Bihar, the BJP will continue to support the Purvanchali community in every way possible,” PM Modi said.
Turning to the recent budget, the Prime Minister highlighted the relief it offered to the middle class, calling it the most middle-class-friendly budget in India's history. He emphasized that the BJP government had completely eliminated income tax for individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh. Modi explained the significance of this change by comparing it to the tax rates under previous administrations. “Under Jawaharlal Nehru's time, a person earning Rs 12 lakh would pay a quarter in tax. Under Indira Gandhi’s government, Rs 10 lakh would go to the government. Even just 10-12 years ago, during Congress rule, someone earning Rs 12 lakh would pay Rs 2.6 lakh in tax. But under this BJP government’s budget, no tax will be levied on Rs 12 lakh," he noted.
PM Modi criticized the Congress party for using tax revenues solely to benefit their interests, contrasting it with the BJP government's approach, which he said opens up the treasury to help ordinary citizens. He also pointed to the success of Jan Aushadhi Kendras, where medicines are already offered at an 80% discount, and announced that over 30 critical medicines, including those for cancer, would be made more affordable following the new budget.
