New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): Amid the raging anti-CAA protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chose to start his speech with an unusual chant, "Vividhta me ekta, Bharat ke visheshta" (Unity in diversity is India's speciality).
But soon he focussed back on what he was there for in the first place - the Delhi Assembly election. Stressing on the government's decision to regularise illegal colonies, Modi said, "Now you have full rights to your house... Full rights."
He claimed a substantial segment of Delhi had to withstand "political commitments made of lies". He reiterated it was the BJP which brought a "permanent solution".
As he said, "Aisa Nahi chalega, na mai chalne dunga" (This can't go on. Neither will I let it continue)," the huge crowd broke into applause.
In a sharp response to the violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech said, "Burn Modi's effigy, but do not burn public property".
"Hate me if you want to, but don't hate India. Burn my effigy, but do not burn a poor man's auto-rickshaw," Modi said during his over-an-hour-long speech.
He blamed political propaganda that triggered arson and burning of public properties.
The BJP on Sunday drummed up the fact the Centre's decision to regularise 1,731 illegal colonies have helped 40 lakh people living in Delhi, just ahead of the Delhi election early next year.
At its massive rally at Ramlila ground that was attended by thousands, the primary target was Arvind Kejriwal and his AAP government. BJP Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari, Delhi MP Parvesh Verma and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar - all had one target.
"You have to decide which government you want. Ayushman Bharat is implemented everywhere in India apart from Bengal and Delhi. It's decision time on whether you want free medical treatment or not," asserted Javadekar.
Amid fluttering BJP flags, beating of drums and excited attendees, Modi was the unmistakable crowdpuller. Many of the BJP supporters were seen dancing to tunes that were dedicated to the Prime Minister.
Attacking the so-called urban naxals, the PM said they were spreading rumours that all Muslims would be sent to detention centres. "These are all lies. Respect education," he said.
"What do you want -- development or destruction, nationalism or anarchy, anti-national slogans raised in JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University) or those who would end such activities?" said Javadekar.
Member of Parliament from New Delhi, Minakshi Lekhi said, "We are not here to make India a 'Hindu Rashtra', but to keep the essence of Hindustan." She accused opposition parties of using students against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Needless to say, BJP put its best bet forward and hopes to use Modi's charisma to win the Delhi election, as it was decimated by AAP in the last polls.