PM Modi likens AAP to ‘aapda’ for Delhi, calls for its defeat in polls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the foundation stone laying and inauguration ceremony of various developmental projects, in New Delhi, on January 3, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (January 3, 2025) slammed the AAP as an “aapda” for Delhi, saying this “aapda” has taken the national capital in its grip in the past 10 years.

Addressing people after launching a slew of infra projects in the national capital, including in housing and education sectors, he hit out at the city government led by AAP and said the situation in the national capital would worsen if its reign continued.

On the one hand, the Centre is making a lot of efforts; on the other, the Union Territory government stands for brazen lies, he said, accusing the AAP government of committing corruption in a host of sectors ranging from school education to fighting pollution and liquor trade.

With the assembly elections set to be held in the city next month, the prime minister said Delhi had launched a war on this “aapda (disaster)” and decided to get rid of it.

“This year will usher in a new politics of nation-building and people’s welfare. Therefore, ‘aapda’ has to be removed and the BJP brought in,” he said.

Due to the city government not allowing the Centre’s signature health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat, and other programmes in the national capital, Modi said he was unable to help the people living here fully despite his efforts.

If highways are being built in the capital and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has been able to make houses for the poor, it is because “aapda” does not have much role in these sectors, he added.

Taking a swipe at former Delhi chief minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, Modi said he could also have built a “sheesh mahal” for himself but his dream was to ensure homes for everyone in the country.

“These people commit corruption and then glorify it,” he said, accusing AAP of shamelessness and making false promises.

The BJP has been targeting Kejriwal for allegedly spending a huge amount of money on his official residence when he was chief minister, and described his erstwhile home as “sheesh mahal”.