From ‘AAPada’ Jibe To ‘Sheeshmahal’ Criticism: PM Modi Slams Arvind Kejriwal And AAP Ahead Of Delhi Elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (3 January) inaugurated 1,675 flats for 'Jhuggi - Jhopri' (JJ) clusters and two urban redevelopment projects in Delhi.

During the event, PM Modi took a sharp dig at AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal over the official residence of the Delhi Chief Minister.

"The country knows it well that Modi never built a home for himself but has built more than 4 crore houses for the poor; 'mai bhi koi sheeshmahal bana sakta tha' (even I could have built a Sheeshmahal)," PM Modi said at the event.

His comments alluded to recent controversies surrounding alleged exorbitant expenditures on the Delhi Chief Minister's residence.

The statement referred to an October inventory released by the Public Works Department (PWD), detailing high-end appliances and gadgets reportedly worth over crores installed at the Delhi Chief Minister's bungalow.

The issue has sparked heated political exchanges between the BJP and AAP.

"In the last 10 years, Delhi is surrounded by an 'aapada' (disaster). By keeping Anna Hazare at the front, a few 'kattar beimaan' (extremely dishonest) people have pushed Delhi towards 'aapada'. 'AAP aapada bankar Delhi par toot padi hai' (AAP has descended as a calamity on Delhi)," PM Modi said.

"That's why the people of Delhi have launched a war against this disaster. Delhi is saying in unison, 'Aapada Ko Nahi Sahenge, Badal Kar Rahenge'... (Won't tolerate the disaster, will change it)," PM Modi said.

PM Modi said that India has now become a "symbol of political and economic stability", adding that the role of the country will further strengthen in 2023.

"This year will be the year to strengthen India's position in the world. It will be the year of making India one of the biggest manufacturing centres in the world..." he added.

The inauguration of newly constructed flats marked the completion of the second successful In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Project by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

PM Modi handed over the keys to eligible beneficiaries of EWS flats at Swabhiman Apartments in the Ashok Vihar area.

For every Rs 25 lakh spent on the construction of a flat by the central government, the eligible beneficiaries pay less than seven per cent of the total amount, comprising Rs 1.42 lakh as a nominal contribution and Rs 30,000 for five years of maintenance.

This development initiative by the BJP-led central government comes in the run-up to the Delhi assembly elections, expected in February.

Additionally, PM Modi inaugurated two urban redevelopment projects—the World Trade Centre at Nauroji Nagar and the GPRA Type-II quarters at Sarojini Nagar.

The government said the World Trade Centre transformed the area by replacing more than 600 dilapidated quarters with state-of-the-art commercial towers, offering around 34 lakh square feet of premium commercial space with advanced amenities.

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