| Monday , February 2 , 2015 |
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150202/jsp/nation/story_11202.jsp#.VM60OtKUeSo
Secret pact between Congress, AAP, says Narendra Modi as Sonia Gandhi urges voters to defeat communal forces -
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/sonia-gandhi-slams-modi-govt-urges-delhi-voters-to-defeat-those-doing-politics-of-hatred/
For Congress, 9 out of 70 is pass marks- Campaign pitch gets louder as electoral battle for Delhi enters final phase |
 Sonia Gandhi, Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal address rallies in Delhi on Sunday. Pictures by Prem Singh and PTI  While leaders from minority communities are being sent to localities dominated by Muslims, Delhi leaders have requested Rahul Gandhi to address at least two more meetings before campaigning ends for the February 7 Assembly elections in Delhi. Sources said the Congress fears that if its tally slips below eight — the number of seats it won in the winter of 2013 out of the total 70 — its hopes of immediate revival would be dented further. So it is desperately seeking to reclaim some space among its traditional voters, realising that if the AAP succeeds in wresting this entire support base of poor and minorities, it could forever push the grand old party to the margins. The emergence of a secular alternative has already done this to the Congress in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Bengal. Although the secular forces are praying for a jolt to Narendra Modi in the national capital, the irony is the Congress would prefer a BJP government — the reason it has concentrated its energies on slums and semi-urban clusters from where the AAP is drawing its political sustenance. The Congress’s focus in middle-class residential societies where the BJP thrives is almost nil. Rahul, who has addressed one road show and a meeting in the past few days, received impressive responses from the poor and the relatively underprivileged, who make up more than 80 per cent of the electorate. So did Sonia Gandhi today when she addressed a rally at Badarpur. But the unambiguous media projection about a direct fight between the BJP and Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP appears to have already stamped out chances of a major Congress role in this election. The anger against the Congress that existed till a few months ago has subsided and most voters fondly recall the work done by the Sheila Dikshit government, but the belief that only Kejriwal can stop the BJP is unshakable. While Muslims have drifted towards the AAP for the sole purpose of defeating the BJP, the poor — particularly vendors, petty shopkeepers and slum dwellers — tend to prefer Kejriwal’s party to escape police harassment and extortion. A random survey in over a dozen localities suggests a strong belief that the AAP would check such harassment. In areas like Govindpuri, Seelampur, New Ashok Nagar, Lakshmi Nagar and Rohini, even those who had voted for the BJP in the parliamentary elections openly declared support for the AAP, arguing that the “new party should be given a chance”. Among the poor, Kejriwal appears to have greater credibility than any Congress or BJP leader in Delhi and, if the mood among this section is any indication, it is a wave in favour of the AAP. While Ajay Maken, the Congress’s chief ministerial candidate, is not being considered to be in the race, the poor don’t identify with the BJP’s Kiran Bedi. Surprisingly, even “Brand Modi” appears to be weakening. “If you switch on the TV, only Modi, Modi, Modi… as if there is nothing else in the world,” said a shopkeeper who disclosed his intention to shift from the BJP to the AAP. Issues like high prices of vegetables, little respite from crime and no jump in employment opportunities are definitely hurting the BJP. The dreams of “achchhe din” are unravelling fast and another dream merchant could reap the maximum benefits. The ingredients that went into making his image include lofty promises of cheap electricity and zero tolerance of crime and corruption. Displeasure among government employees is another factor that should worry the BJP. The reduction in the retirement age from 60 to 58 in Haryana has spread alarm in Delhi. The toughness of the Modi administration, including introduction of biometric cards to enforce punctuality, is also creating unease. This section does not like Kejriwal’s gimmicks and the Congress has tried to make inroads here. But without the support of the poor and a large section of minorities, the Congress could be struggling to retain the eight seats it won in the last election. It has pinned hopes on its stalwarts — around 15 of them — to pull it off on their own strength. They are working hard and even a single seat more than its 2013 tally would be a consolation for the leadership. If the party manages 15, that would call for a celebration. |
Secret pact between Congress, AAP, says Narendra Modi as Sonia Gandhi urges voters to defeat communal forces -
Sonia slammed Modi govt for making changes in Land bill and other people-friendly measures brought by UPA.
By: Press Trust of India | New Delhi | Posted: February 1, 2015 4:02 pm | Updated: February 1, 2015 8:22 pm
With just four days left for it to end, the high octane campaigning in Delhi Assembly polls reached its crescendo today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP Chief Amit Shah, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal pulled no punches in taking on rivals.
As Sonia jumped into the campaign mode for the first time in the February 7 polls, the four leaders traded charges and countercharges with the Congress President slamming ‘pracharak’ Modi and ‘dharnebaaj’ Kejriwal. Sonia also asked voters to guard against “politics of hatred”.
Wooing voters to back BJP and not to support those who believed in ‘dharnas’, the Prime Minister took a swipe at his opponents who say prices of petrol and diesel have come down in India because Modi is “lucky”.
The “rivals”, particularly the Congress, say the prices have come down just because he is “lucky”, he said, adding “Do you want a lucky person or someone who is less lucky?
Taunting his rivals, he said, “Ok, let’s accept that I am lucky but you have saved money. If Modi’s luck is benefitting the people, what can be more fortunate? If because of my good luck, prices of petrol and diesel get reduced and common man saves more, then what is need for bringing someone who is unlucky?”
Modi was addressing a rally in Dwarka in south west Delhi– the second in as many days.
Taking on both AAP and Congress, Modi said they “forge friendship behind the curtains” to form a government, apparently referring to their alliance last year.
“However, as soon as polls were declared, they start competing each other in spreading lies which could lead to sensation and give them some space in the media,” he added.
Targeting Kejriwal, he asked people whether they want development or ‘dharnas’.
Modi said the city will suffer if the electorate vote for someone who is more interested in “dharnas” and “looking for space in TV media” than talking about issues to address them.
Responding to the constant ‘dharna’ jibes at him, Kejriwal said,” I don’t sit on dharna for myself. I sit on Dharna for people.”
Taking a dig at Modi, Kejriwal said at his rally in Shastrinagar he thought the prime minister will speak about big schemes but he kept speaking against him.
Addressing her first election rally Delhi at Meethapur near Badarpur, Sonia asked voters to save Delhi from those who
make only “hollow promises”.
make only “hollow promises”.
“While one party has a pracharak, who only does ‘prachar’ the other just a dharnebaaj, who is all the time busy organising dharnas. Delhi needs good governance and not false promises… BJP and AAP can only talk big and make hollow
promises.
promises.
She also raked up the issue of communal violence that took place in some parts of Delhi before the Assembly election dates were announced and alleged that it was being done to “capture power” in the state.
“There are some forces which cause incidents like what happened in Trilokpuri and Dilshad Garden. Such forces will have to be defeated which spread the politics of hatred,” she said, as she appealed to people to strengthen secular forces.
Sonia also alleged that BJP kept on “delaying” elections in Delhi and “continued with its rule” here in the name of President’s rule.
http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/sonia-gandhi-slams-modi-govt-urges-delhi-voters-to-defeat-those-doing-politics-of-hatred/