TNN

New Delhi, Apr 20: BJP general secretary and key poll strategist Arun Jaitley took the "Why BJP" campaign to the capital's neighbourhoods on Sunday evening as he reached out to voters in East and North-East Delhi. Pitching his arguments against a "weak and helpless'' Prime Minister, Jaitley sought the support for party candidates to ensure the emergence of a "strong leader and decisive government at the Centre".

BJP candidate for East Delhi parliamentary constituency Chetan Chauhan though was conspicuous by his absence at Ganesh Nagar Chowk when Jaitley was addressing a public meeting to garner votes for him. Party leaders said the candidate was coming from another meeting in Madhuban and would turn up soon.

Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, Jaitley took on Manmohan Singh and called him not a "Mazboot (strong)'' but a "Majboor (helpless)'' leader. "We have been inviting him to a debate against our prime ministerial candidate L K Advani. But he is never ready. He can only read out a written speech,'' the senior BJP leader said.

Jaitley went on to call the PM a real politician as he could reach the post without facing any election. "Even days after a series of reports and protests against CBI giving clean chit to Jagdish Tytler, he says he was unaware of the central agency's move. Only a journalist's act shook him,'' he said.

The leader also claimed that economic breakdown and the cracks within the Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) would be the decisive factors in this general election.

Seeking votes for cricketer-turned-politician Chauhan, Jaitley said while people joined politics to become popular, the BJP candidate was already an achiever. "You all know his performance and contribution to the world of cricket. He has also made his mark in politics and because of his good work, he was elected twice as an MP from Uttarakhand. Elect him so that he becomes the first few to make Advani our next Prime Minister,'' Jaitley said.

Local BJP leaders then announced that Chauhan was still on his way and the supporters would have to "bear with them'' to listen to him.

Earlier in the day, Chauhan's election offices in Krishna Nagar and Patparganj Assembly constituencies were inaugurated. Later, he donated blood in a camp organised by Dayanand Vihar Youth Federation.