Prof. V.K. Malhotra has been one of the pillars of the Jana Sangh and the BJP in Delhi

My association with him started almost from the time I came to Delhi from Rajasthan in 1957.

Ten years later, when the Delhi Metropolitan Council was formed, we became colleagues — he as the Chief Executive in the Council and I as the Council’s Chairman.

Today he is my colleague in the Lok Sabha, serving as the Deputy Leader in the House.

My “regret” is that the Party will lose his services in the 15th Lok Sabha, because he will not be contesting the next Parliamentary elections.

However, my joy is that he will be the next Chief Minister of Delhi.

The BJP has chosen Prof. Malhotra to be its chief ministerial candidate in the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Delhi. I have no doubt — nobody inside or outside my Party has any doubt — that the BJP will win a decisive mandate under his leadership.

I compliment the Delhi unit of the Party for displaying strong unity and solidarity at the decision to contest the elections under Prof. Malhotra’s leadership. I especially compliment Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Shri Vijay Goel and Shri Jagdish Mukhi for their contribution to enhancing the strength and prestige of the Party amongst the people of Delhi.

Smt. Sheila Dixit is a good friend of ours. She has governed Delhi for ten years continuously. But she needs some rest now.

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No other city has grown as rapidly in recent decades as Delhi has. Not only in terms of population and size has it changed, but Delhi has changed in its complexion, too.

As the Capital of India, it was always cosmopolitan. The society here was like a beautiful bouquet with different flowers. Now, in recent decades, many more flowers of diverse hues and varieties have become part of the bouquet, enhancing its beauty and attractiveness.

Delhi is today home to Punjabis, Biharis, UP wallahs, Bengalis, Oriyas, Tamilians, Telugus, Kannadigas, Malayalis, Kashmiris …indeed, people from every part of India.

There are Assamese, Nagas, Mizos, Gorkhas and many other people who are from the North-East. Recently, I was invited to participate in a function organised by the Manipuri Diaspora Association in Delhi.

There are also people who belong to all religious communities.

All are DILLIWALLAS, DILLIVASIS OR DELHIITES — with equal status, equal rights and equal responsibilities.

In some cities like Mumbai, certain sectarian forces have been claiming that the city belongs only to certain communities and others are “outsiders” and hence unwelcome. This is a divisive and dangerous trend. The BJP firmly opposes such forces.

Delhi cares for all, and all should care for Delhi.

Delhi belongs to all, and all belong to Delhi.

The only section that cannot belong to Delhi — and Delhi cannot belong to them — is Bangladeshi infiltrators.

They have to go. Just as Bangladeshi infiltrators from other parts of India, especially in Assam, have to go.

For the past several days, there are violent clashes in Assam. A large number of people have died. Why did these clashes occur? How did Bangladeshi settlers make their way into Bodo areas in such large numbers? Why was the State Government turning a blind eye? Why was the Central Government turning a blind eye?

I read in the newspapers yesterday a statement by the Union Home Minister that invoking of Article 356 and imposition of the President’s Rule in Orissa is a possibility.

We condemn the attacks on Churches and innocent Christians. We also condemn the killing of Swami Laxmanananda and his disciples in Orissa. Violence and vandalism must come to an end.

But if the Congress party wants to politicize the developments in Orissa by plotting to bring the state under the President’s Rule, then I can only warn them not to indulge in such misadventure.

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The next government in Delhi will have three important tasks. To perform them effectively and successfully will be the BJP’s solemn promise to the people of Delhi.

For accomplishing these tasks, the Delhi Government will definitely need full support from the Central Government. It is my promise that the next NDA Government will work in solid partnership with Shri Malhotraji’s Government in fulfilling these three promises.

I would like MCD, which is governed by the BJP, to make its full contribution to realizing the dream of Delhi is one of the Best and Most Efficiently Run cities in the world.

In the days to come, our Party workers should fan out in every part of the city-state and reach out to every section of Delhi’s population. We should ask them to give the BJP a decisive mandate in the Assembly elections.

And I am sure that the people would respond enthusiastically.

Thank you.