New Delhi: During a recent interaction, Delhi's MP and BJP candidate from North-East Delhi, Manoj Tiwari, found himself grappling with questions concerning inflation and the free ration scheme, eventually conceding, "Main confuse ho raha hoon" (I'm getting confused).
In a snippet extracted from Manoj Tiwari's interview with Jist, the former Delhi BJP president is heard stating, "In the (Modi government's) third term, the rates of every house in this area will be tripled." However, the interviewer promptly rebuffs this notion, outlining how such a move would be detrimental, particularly for individuals from the Purvanchal region who might struggle to afford housing in North-East Delhi if property rates were tripled.
Manoj was subsequently queried about the Modi government's assertion of providing free food grains to 80 crore people and elevating 25 crore individuals out of the Below poverty line (BPL). Based on these figures, it seems that 105 crore out of 140 crore people are still living in poverty.
When pressed on this matter, the North-East Delhi MP faltered to provide a coherent response. He remarked, "We give food grain to the people who are below the poverty line," before pausing and conceding, "Perhaps I am a little confused about this."
Notably, the BJP has promised to continue the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, which was launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, for another five years if voted for a third term.
'Kanhaiya Kumar Not A Challenge To Me': Manoj Tiwari
Meanwhile, ahead of Phase 6 polling, Manoj Tiwari on Friday downplayed Congress rival Kanhaiya Kumar as a non-threat, stating, "I think Kanhaiya Kumar is not a challenge for me. By declaring him their candidate, Congress has written its last chapter... I think that both Rahul Gandhi and Manoj Jha should always take an ambulance with them as they can mentally collapse at any time due to the negative statements that the people have for them. Their security must be enhanced," as reported by ANI.
I.N.D.I.A Alliance candidate from Delhi's North-East Lok Sabha seat, Kanhaiya Kumar, on Thursday, issued a challenge to his rival and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari for a debate.
Kanhaiya Kumar posted on X, "Manoj Bhaiya, only about 24 hours are left for official campaigning, till when will you keep misleading people? Let's discuss the real issues of the people of North East Delhi in front of them for once. Come tomorrow to Gokalpuri ward, at 3 pm, near State Bank of India, Mangal Bazaar Road. And yes, leave early, there is a lot of traffic in the area."
The seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital will go to polls on May 25 in the sixth round of the seven-phase general elections. The BJP has won all the seats in Delhi in the last two polls -- 2014 and 2019.