Kiran Bedi Will Take Delhi to New Heights, Says PM Modi at Poll Rally

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New Delhi, Jan 31, 2015 (NDTV): Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived by chopper at a densely populated east Delhi locality on Saturday evening to lead the BJP’s charge against the Aam Aadmi Party for the Delhi elections a week away.

He praised Kiran Bedi, his choice for presumptive Delhi chief minister, who had been conspicuously missing from many of the party’s campaign posters and speeches in the last few days.

"Kiran Bedi has been part of Delhi’s history, she knows every by-lane of the city," said the PM, adding that the former IPS officer will "take Delhi to new heights".

On stage sat Ms Bedi and several senior Delhi leaders who have had the party leadership worried with their deep sulk over and the total lack of support for Ms Bedi, who joined the party only this month.  BJP president Amit Shah was there as were Satish Upadhyay, Meenakshi Lekhi, and Dr Harsh Vardhan.

In his address of over half an hour, the PM attacked AAPs Arvind Kejriwal, identified by the BJP as the main threat to its plan to win Delhi. "The very people whom you voted for last time stabbed you in your back. They shattered your dreams and destroyed Delhi. You gave them a befitting punishment in Lok Sabha polls. People do not repeat their mistakes again and again, he said.

He brought up US president Barack Obama’s visit this week, tanatalising Delhi’s voters with the hint of more.

Delhi, the PM said, was the face of India and this election would decide how the country is seen at the global stage. "There is no better place than Delhi for India’s identity," PM Modi said.

The PM was clear. He did not want a win for the BJP... He sought a clear majority, hinting that Delhi would benefit from the same party ruling the state and the Centre.

His party, the PM promised, would provide a clean and stable government of the kind people have "never seen."

The BJP was four short of a majority in elections 13 months ago. Second largest party AAP formed a rickety government with the support of the Congress and Mr Kejriwal resigned as chief minister after 49 days in office leading to President’s Rule and fresh elections.