The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Incubation centres for start-ups: BJP Chandni Chowk candidate’s poll pitch
CREATING INCUBATION centres in the heart of Old Delhi to boost start-ups: Businessman Praveen Khandelwal, the BJP’S Lok Sabha candidate for Chandni Chowk, made his poll pitch from a rather unlikely stage — a mass wedding ceremony in Mangolpuri — on Wednesday.
“Youngsters in the country don’t lack ideas. But it is also true that the majority of start-ups don’t receive proper handholding, which is why they don’t work out. This is why I have decided that in my constituency, I will make incubation centres for start-ups. This will help address issues related to training, finance, etc. Wherever I go, I tell people that those who have ideas should come and talk to us — under Modi ji’s leadership, we will give it a practical shape,” said Khandelwal, founder and general secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), outlining his plan if he wins.
The businessman-politician, who said he has been on the campaign trail since March 3, took part in the ceremony organised by the Radha Madhav
Nishkaam Seva Samiti. The BJP had on March 2 announced him as its candidate for the seat currently held by veteran leader and former Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, who announced his retirement from active politics — a day after the nominees were announced. Khandelwal will face off against veteran Congress leader Jai Prakash Agarwal.
He also issued another message — the “dangers” posed to sanatan dharma and how only Prime Minister Narendra Modi can safeguard it. “Abhi sanatan ko chaaron taraf se bahot khatra hai.
Koi agar jadon se hamare dharma ko mazboot kar sakta hai toh who Modi ji hain (Right now, sanatan is under immense danger from all sides. If anyone can strengthen it from its roots, it’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi),” he said.
At the event, BJP’S campaign slogan — “Ab ki baar, 400 paar (This time, we will cross 400 seats)” — was a constant throughout. Speaking to The Indian Express, Khandelwal doubled down on the sentiment: “The aim and objective of every BJP worker in my constituency is the same — ‘Ab ki baar, 400 paar’.”
Asked why he participated in theceremonythatsaw11couples tying the knot, he said, “Programmes of this sort help strengthen the socio-economic ecosystem of the country... (and) social bonding between different sections. These programmes are forthosewerefertoas‘downtrodden’... it helps address their lack of resourcessotheyfeelliketheytoo are celebrating like others...”
Neeraj Garg, chairman of the Seva Samiti, said the organisation has been organising mass weddings for the last 15 years. Garg, also associated with the BJP, added that this year, the 11 couples include three physically challenged couples. He further stated that the wedding rituals are done as per sanatan dharma. “We will promote Hindutva, and we are Hindu,” he said.
Does Khandelwal have a message for Delhi’s voters? He replied, “PM Modi has worked for the last 10 years without taking even a single holiday... when he is fully committed to raising the dignity of the country, it is also the responsibility of all of us to join him on his mission. That’s why, on May 25, it is important to fulfil the call of ‘ab ki baar, 400 paar’. This will help form a strong government at the Centre...”