Agencies/New Delhi
The state, which has some 13mn eligible voters, heads to the polls on February 7, with results due on February 10.
Delhi has been without a government for almost a year after self-styled “anarchist” Kejriwal quit as state chief minister last February, just 49 days after taking power.
He is now again seeking the capital’s top post, with most opinion polls showing him in the lead ahead of the candidate for Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), former high-ranking policewoman Kiran Bedi.
Modi made Kejriwal the main target of yesterday’s campaign speech, blasting him as a “backstabber” who “committed the sin of wasting a year in Delhi.”
“A year ago, Delhi voted with a hope, a dream. But the people you voted for stabbed you in the back and shattered all your dreams,” said Modi, who came to national power with a landslide election victory in May.
Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party made a spectacular debut in state elections in December 2013, but he quit Delhi’s top post in a row over an anti-corruption bill - a decision he has since said he regretted.
The upstart party flopped in May’s general election, but Kejriwal once again represents the major obstacle to the BJP’s electoral hopes in Delhi.
“People can make a mistake once, but not again and again,” the prime minister said.
“Delhi won’t vote for betrayers,” he added.
Modi, who shared the stage with BJP president Amit Shah and Bedi, asked the people of Delhi to vote for a BJP government as it can work in tandem with the central government.
“Elect a government with whom I can work shoulder to shoulder towards making a positive difference in your lives.”
The prime minister said the BJP had emerged as the largest party in the Delhi assembly last time. “Give us full majority this time.”
Modi said the entire world was watching the Delhi polls.
“If India needs to be introduced to the world, then Delhi is the best place to showcase. All events in the capital have an imprint on not only the country but the entire world. It represents India,” he said.
The prime minister said that with US President Barack Obama’s visit to India, the country’s image has been enhanced the world over.
He said he has worked against corruption, but added: “I don’t publicise that.”
“I have come to Delhi as you have called me. If you had not given me seven MPs, then I would not have been able to come to Delhi. Thus I have come at your bidding.”
The prime minister said Delhi has been in a mess for the last 15 years.
“I have come to take Delhi out of all the mess. I am not satisfied that you give me space to sit in the South Block. I want to serve each and every nook and corner of Delhi.”
Modi said Bedi was the right person for the capital’s top job.
“Delhi needs a stable government. Kiran ji knows Delhi well. She has administrative experience. She will take Delhi to new heights.”
He highlighted government initiatives including better housing for slum-dwellers, cash subsidies for cooking gas and creating jobs in manufacturing.
The premier also promised Delhi voters round-the-clock electricity when he kicked off his party’s campaign in the capital earlier this month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to supporters as BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi and federal minister Anant Kumar look on at a public
