Delhi Assembly Election: PM Modi Calls Ruling Party 'AAPda', Tears Into Kejriwal With 'Sheeshmahal' Jibe

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 1,675 flats for 'Jhuggi-Jhopri' (JJ) clusters and two urban redevelopment projects in Delhi. During the event, the Prime Minister also took a swipe at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and the official residence of the Delhi Chief Minister.

"The country knows well that Modi never built a home for himself, but has built more than 4 crore houses for the poor; 'mai bhi koi sheeshmahal bana sakta tha' (I too could have built a Sheeshmahal)," PM Modi remarked, referencing recent controversies over alleged lavish expenditures on the Delhi Chief Minister's residence.

Photo Credit: PTI

This comment was a nod to an October inventory released by the Public Works Department (PWD), which detailed high-end appliances and gadgets worth crores that were reportedly installed at the Delhi CM's bungalow. The issue has become a contentious point in the political rivalry between the BJP and AAP.

"In the last 10 years, Delhi has been surrounded by an 'aapada' (disaster). With Anna Hazare at the forefront, a few 'kattar beimaan' (extremely dishonest) individuals have pushed Delhi into 'aapada'. 'AAP aapada bankar Delhi par toot padi hai' (AAP has descended as a calamity on Delhi)," said Modi.

The Prime Minister went on to emphasise India's growing political and economic influence, stating, "Today, India has become a symbol of political and economic stability. This role of India will strengthen even further in 2025. This year will be the year to strengthen India's position globally. It will be the year of making India one of the biggest manufacturing centres in the world..."

Earlier, PM Modi shared on X, "Today is an important day for Delhi's development. At a programme in Ashok Vihar, I will be inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for a wide range of development works which will boost 'Ease of Living' for the people of Delhi."

The inauguration marked the completion of the second successful In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Project by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). PM Modi distributed keys to eligible beneficiaries of EWS flats at the Swabhiman Apartments in Ashok Vihar.

For every Rs 25 lakh spent on constructing a flat by the central government, the beneficiaries pay less than seven per cent of the total cost, including Rs 1.42 lakh as a nominal contribution and Rs 30,000 for five years of maintenance.

The BJP-led central government's development push comes ahead of Delhi's assembly elections, which are expected in February.

PM Modi also inaugurated two urban redevelopment projects-the World Trade Centre at Nauroji Nagar and the General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) Type-II quarters at Sarojini Nagar. The government highlighted that the World Trade Centre project transformed the area by replacing over 600 dilapidated quarters with state-of-the-art commercial towers, offering around 34 lakh square feet of premium commercial space with modern amenities.

(With PTI inputs)