Kejriwal Hits Back At PM Modi's 'Aapda, Sheeshmahal' Remarks: 'Built House Worth Rs 2,700 Cr, Wore Rs 10 Lakh Suit'
Delhi Election 2025: Arvind Kejriwal criticised Prime Minister Modi for labeling his party AAP as a "disaster," accusing the BJP of being the "enemy of the poor."
Delhi Election 2025: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday responded sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent criticism of the Delhi government, labelling the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the "enemy of the poor". Kejriwal's remarks came shortly after the Prime Minister's speech at Ashok Vihar's Ramlila Ground, where Modi had referred to the AAP-led government in Delhi as an "aapda" (disaster).
Addressing the media, Kejriwal accused Modi of using his 43-minute speech to "abuse" the people of Delhi and the government they had elected with a massive mandate. "For 39 minutes in his 43-minute speech, PM Modi abused the people of Delhi and the government chosen by them," Kejriwal said, adding that the BJP-led central government had "not done anything" noteworthy that the Prime Minister could mention in his address.
Kejriwal went on to highlight the achievements of the AAP government over the last decade, stating that even two to three hours would not suffice to list all the work done. He contrasted this with the BJP's lack of significant accomplishments, which, he said, left the Prime Minister to resort to personal attacks and insults instead of discussing any real progress.
"In 2015, the people of Delhi chose two governments—BJP-led central government and AAP-led Delhi government. It has been 10 years now. If you ask me to tell what all works the AAP govt in Delhi has done, maybe even two-three hours will not be sufficient," Kejriwal added.
VIDEO | "Had they worked in these 10 years, maybe they would not need to abuse people of Delhi so much today. One who works, he doesn't abuse; one who doesn't work, he contests elections on the basis of abuses. In 2020, PM Modi made several promises to people of Delhi. The 2020… pic.twitter.com/YTISSIadYN
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 3, 2025
The Prime Minister, during his speech, had taken a veiled swipe at Kejriwal, boasting of the BJP's achievements under his leadership, including the construction of over four crore houses for the poor. He also made a remark about not having built a palace for himself, saying, "I could also have built a palace for myself," in reference to the row over renovation in the Chief Minister's residence under Arvind Kejriwal's government.
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However, Kejriwal did not hold back in his counter-attack. "The BJP rendered over 2 lakh people homeless by demolishing slums in Delhi," he remarked, pointing to the Centre's alleged failures in addressing housing issues. He also mocked Modi's lavish lifestyle, saying, "One who builds a house worth Rs 2,700 crore for himself, who travels in an airplane worth Rs 8,400 crore, one who wears a Rs 10 lakh suit, talking about 'sheesh mahal' doesn't suit his mouth."
Kejriwal also responded to the Prime Minister’s characterisation of the AAP as a "disaster" by suggesting that the BJP was facing its own crisis. "The BJP is faced with 'aapda' as it has no CM face, narrative, or issue for Delhi polls," he said.
VIDEO | "One who builds a house worth Rs 2,700 crore for himself, who travels in airplane worth Rs 8,400 crore, one who wears Rs 10 lakh suit, talking about 'sheesh mahal' doesn't suit his mouth... I don't want to indulge in personal accusations, I don't do politics of abuses..."… pic.twitter.com/cxdOBGfyNn
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 3, 2025
This war of words between Kejriwal and Modi is intensifying ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, where the BJP is aiming to unseat the AAP after a decade in power. Modi, in his speech, had expressed confidence that the BJP would emerge victorious in the polls, claiming that the people of Delhi had made up their minds to "free" the capital from the "disaster" caused by the AAP government.
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