In poll-bound Delhi, Shah says Budget has made Purvanchalis, middle class happy

Addressing a rally in north-east Delhi’s Mustafabad on Saturday, Union Minister Amit Shah hailed the Union Budget, saying it has brought smiles to the Purvanchali community and the middle class.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made Purvanchalis happy through this Budget. Modiji has provided schemes worth crores for Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. He has freed the middle class from paying tax if they earn up to ₹12 lakh annually,” he said.

Purvanchalis, a term for residents of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and those who hail from there in the Capital, comprise one of the largest voter bases in the city. They are expected to play an important role in the February 5 Delhi Assembly election.

Addressing hundreds of party supporters, Mr. Shah said, “All gig workers will now register on the e-Shram portal. You will get free treatment. Modiji has made such an arrangement.” He was referring to the social security scheme for gig workers announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech.

Mr. Shah was among the several national BJP leaders who held rallies in the city to boost the campaign of the BJP, which is looking to return to power in Delhi after 27 years. Other senior leaders who held rallies included party president J.P. Nadda, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Chief Ministers of U.P., Haryana, and Assam.

Mr. Modi is also set to address his fifth and final rally in the city on Sunday.

Accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of engaging in corruption and sheltering illegal immigrants, the Home Minister said there is a “big wave” against AAP. He accused the party of running a “3G” government — “ghaphla, ghuspaithiyon ko panah, aur ghotala (corruption, sheltering illegal immigrants, scams)”.

The BJP leader also appealed to voters to ensure that “those responsible for the riots [in north-east Delhi in February 2020] are not elected again”.