NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today sought a majority for BJP in Delhi by presenting himself as a "lucky" person as he ridiculed his rivals for giving all credit for "successes" during his tenure to his good fortune only.
Addressing a rally here, he talked about the performance of his eight-month-old government and said the prices of commodities like petrol and diesel have come down, benefitting the people and helping them save some money.
The "rivals", particularly the Congress, say the prices have come down just because he is "lucky", he said, adding "Do you want a lucky person or someone who is less lucky?
Taunting his rivals, he said, "Ok, let's accept that I am lucky but you have saved money. If Modi's luck is benefitting the people, what can be more fortunate? If because of my good luck, prices of petrol and diesel get reduced and common man saves more, then what is need for bringing someone who is unlucky?"
Taking on Congress and other "rivals" for "ruing that Modi is lucky", he said, "it is not Modi's luck but if somebody has the blessings of 125 crore people, there cannot be any better luck."
He went on to add, "for every success (of the government), lies are spread in an attempt to mislead the people".
Taking on both AAP and Congress, Modi said they "forge friendship behind the curtains" to form a government, apparently referring to their alliance last year.
"However, as soon as polls were declared, they start competing each other in spreading lies which could lead to sensation and give them some space in the media," he added.
Targeting AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, he asked people whether they want development or 'dharnas'.
He emphasised that Delhi needs a government which is "sensible" and "sensitive" to address the problems of the national capital.
"Running a government is a serious task... Governments cannot be run by getting space in the media but getting a space in the hearts of people," the Prime Minister said at the rally in Dwarka area of South West Delhi.
Seeking to strike a chord with Delhiites, the former Gujarat Chief Minister said he has now some right over the capital as he has been here for eight months.
"Please give me a chance to pay back your love with interest by bringing in development for all... I want to ensure developent of Delhi," he said, adding, "For us, people are our high command".
Underlining that development is the solution to all problems that Delhiites face, he cited the "track record" of BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. "Look at our track-record. Based on our track-record, we seek your blessings".
He spoke about his government's moves to regularise unauthorised colonies in Delhi and said his next priority was to provide multi-storeyed apartments to slum dwellers as part of 'Housing for all' scheme.
Talking about the party's Chief Ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi, Modi said she will take care of all problems, including traffic issues, that the national capital is facing as she is one who has devoted most of her life to Delhi.
He also underlined that if a BJP government is formed in Delhi, its Chief Minister will have the "fear of Modi" and perform.
"Delhi needs a government with full majority. The government we can trust. If you vote in a BJP government, then those who will be here will be afraid of Modi and the central government. But if there is someone who does not have anyone above him, then that person will bring in only devastation," Modi said.
He said that "incomplete" mandate has already led to wastage of one year of Delhi's development, which has "set the state back by 25 years".
Apparently targeting Kejriwal without naming him, he said Delhi will suffer if the electorate vote for someone who is more interested in "dharnas" and "looking for space in TV media" than talking about issues to address them.
In his second rally here in as many days, the Prime Minister said he was indebted to the people of Delhi as they had given all the seven seats of the Lok Sabha to his party in the last elections.
Appealing for majority for BJP in the Assembly polls as well, he said it would give him an opportunity to pay back with interest as he would ensure development.
"Even by mistake, do not do half work," he told the electorate, inferring that they should vote for majority without falling prey to "false" promises or be influenced by agitations. "Running a government is a serious responsibility. One has to listen to common people's anguishes..it does not work by running away. Without understanding their (common people) difficulties, solutions do not come out," he said adding "We have to take Delhi to new heights... it is a serious responsibility".
Asking people to vote for BJP, he said "Give me an opportunity to serve you.. to address various problems of yours. I can sit across a table and talk. Give me such a government in Delhi."
Describing Delhi as "mini India", Modi said development of the country should be balanced.
"I want my eastern India to move with equal pace with state like Maharashtra, Gujarat Gujarat, Punjab...The growth should be all inclusive country-wide, that touches all and in interest of all," he said.
Addressing the rally in Dwarka here, he said in a lighter vein, that originally he hails from Dwarka (in Gujarat).
Modi said though the country was strong, the world could not recognise its strength because of the governments and the leaders who were in power.
"During the Lok Sabha elections, they joked about me and said who knows me outside Gujarat. When I started roaming the country and did election rallies, they said who recognises him in the world. They used to say what will happen to foreign policy... Modi does not know ABCD of foreign policy," he said.
"There was failure in the country's foreign policy because you (opposition) did not know the country's policy. When I go and meet the world, I forget I am Narendra Modi, I remember that behind me there is the strength of 125 crore people," Modi added.
Noting that his main focus was development, he said, "I want to tell the people of Delhi that the only medicine to all the problems is development. If there is development, there will be employment, change in lifestyle, children will get education, elders will get medicine. That is why we have decided to walk on the path of development."
The Prime Minister talked about local issues and said the problem of water scarcity in Dwarka has been solved after BJP came to power at the Centre.
"We decided to authorise all the colonies. I am not going to stop there. Now my responsibility and priority will be that all the services are provided in these colonies," Modi said.
Talking about the traffic problem in Dwarka, Modi said that Kiran Bedi has the expertise to easily sort that if BJP comes to power in Delhi. He also promised to ensure concrete houses for slum-dwellers. The Prime Minister also talked about youth power and said India has emerged as a powerful country with a large youth population.
"My strength is that I know the people of this county. Similarly I want to take Delhi to new heights," he said, adding that Delhi is mini India as people from all parts of the country reside here.
"Delhi is the symbol of country's pride," he said.
Trying to woo Poorvanchali people, he said, "A person from Poorvanchal is the Prime Minister," in an apparent reference to his election from the Varanasi parliamentary seat.
"I had said that to develop India, we need all-round development. Only one area's development will not help the entire nation. Development in only some parts will not be the development of the country. If the country's west makes progress and Poorvanchal does not, this country will not develop," he said.
Asking people to vote for BJP, he said, "Give me an opportunity to serve you... to address your various problems. I can sit across a table and talk. Give me such a government in Delhi."
"Delhi wants a responsible and sensitive government... those who are connected to this land and have spent important years of their lives serving the common people of Delhi... Delhi needs people to can serve," he further said.
Modi said, "We seek your blessings based on our track record. Look at our track record. Look at the the work of each of our governments... they have brought about a change in their states. Whenever we've had the opportunity of bringing about change in the lives of people, we have left no stone unturned.