DELHI VOTES 2025: In final poll push, Modi woos Delhi voters with ‘most-friendly’ Budget

Terming the tax cuts in the Union Budget as a “historic” decision to benefit the middle class, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said it was an example how his government delivered on promises.

Addressing his last rally before the high-stakes February 5 Delhi Assembly elections, the PM assured the women voters of providing them Rs 2,500 monthly within a month of the “formation of the BJP government”.

“The four pillars of Viksit Bharat — gareeb, kisan, naujawan and naari shakti (poor, farmers, youth and women) — are at the centre of this Budget. It is just an example of Modi’s guarantee of fulfilling promises,” the PM said while addressing a large gathering in Delhi’s RK Puram.

Expressing confidence in the BJP’s victory, PM Modi declared, “Mark my words, on February 8, a BJP government will be formed in Delhi, and by March 8, on International Women’s Day, women will start receiving Rs 2,500 in their bank accounts.”

With just a couple of days left to campaign for the elections, the BJP has put its entire machinery on the ground with all senior leaders, including PM Modi and several Union Ministers, who on Sunday conducted a whopping 80 rallies across the city.

While on one side, Modi attacked rival parties AAP and Congress, on the other, he praised his government’s works at the Centre, especially the Union Budget under which a tax exemption till Rs 12 lakh was announced by the Finance Minister keeping in mind the struggles of middle income group.

The Prime Minister highlighted the relief provided in the Budget and stated that never since India’s independence have individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh annually received such a significant tax relief.

Comparing today’s tax policies to past Congress governments, he said, “During Nehru’s time, if you earned Rs 12 lakh annually, one-fourth of your salary was taken as tax. During Indira Gandhi’s rule, you would be shocked to know that nearly Rs 10 lakh out of Rs 12 lakh went into taxes. This was their reality.”

Criticising the AAP government for alleged corruption and broken promises, Modi accused it of enacting policies that led to factory closures. He asserted that those responsible for looting public funds would be held accountable and vowed to take strict action against corruption.

Modi even took a swipe at the AAP’s symbol, saying that even before the election, the party was staring at defeat with members exiting it. “Aajkal hum dekh rahe hai ki voting se pehle hi jhaadu ke tinke bikhar rahe hai (Nowadays, we are seeing that even before the voting, broomstick is getting scattered),” Modi said.

The Prime Minister, in his more-than-60 minute speech, denied AAP’s claims and assured that it is the BJP’s guarantee that not a single slum in Delhi would be demolished.