New Delhi, February 2: As the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 close in, election rallies are being conducted in full swing to woo the voters of Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally in the national capital after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the Union Budget 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, February 1.

PM Modi, while addressing the election rally in RK Puram, strongly criticised the Congress party and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He compared the tax policies of previous governments with the current BJP-led government, claiming that people now have to pay significantly less tax.

PM Modi stated that if former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru were in power today, people earning ₹12 lakh annually would have to pay about 25% of their income as tax. He further added that during Indira Gandhi’s government, taxes would be even higher, with ₹10 lakh out of ₹12 lakh going towards taxes. Referring to the Congress government about 10-12 years ago, he mentioned that someone earning ₹12 lakh would have paid around ₹2.6 lakh in income tax.

However, PM Modi highlighted that under the new budget presented by the BJP government, individuals earning ₹12 lakh annually will not have to pay any income tax. He claimed this is a major relief, especially for the youth, as they will benefit the most from this tax exemption. Additionally, those earning between ₹12 lakh to ₹24 lakh will save around ₹1.1 lakh more each year due to the revised tax slabs.

Modi accused the Congress of imposing heavy taxes in the past to fill its treasury, whereas the BJP’s focus is on easing the financial burden on the middle class. He praised the new budget, saying it has several provisions to support the poor and strengthen the country’s economy.

A Budget for the Middle Class

PM Modi called the new budget the most middle-class-friendly budget ever. He said the tax exemptions would save thousands of rupees for middle-class families, allowing them to have more money in their pockets.

He added that this is the first time since India’s independence that such a large income tax relief has been provided. According to him, the budget will boost financial stability for millions of families, especially in Delhi.

Criticism of AAP Governance

Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party, PM Modi accused them of wasting 11 years of Delhi’s development. Using a play on words, he referred to AAP as "AAPda" (meaning disaster), blaming them for the city’s lack of progress. He urged the people of Delhi to give the BJP a chance to form the government, promising to work tirelessly to solve their problems and improve the national capital’s infrastructure.

Modi also claimed that AAP’s popularity is declining, as many of its leaders are leaving the party. He alleged that AAP makes false promises to mislead voters but has failed to deliver on its commitments. According to him, people are now aware of AAP’s reality, and the upcoming election will bring a change in Delhi’s leadership.

A Call for Change

Concluding his speech, PM Modi said that with Basant Panchami marking the beginning of a new season, Delhi is also ready for a new era of development. He expressed confidence that the BJP will form the next government in Delhi, as people are frustrated with AAP’s governance. He encouraged voters not to repeat the mistake of electing AAP again, promising that the BJP will bring positive changes for growth and prosperity.