Punjab Elections 2017: AAP Outsider In Punjab, Can't Leave Border State To Them: PM Modi

Kotkapura, Faridkot: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dubbed Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party as "an outsider" in Punjab and told voters that unless the Akali-BJP combine comes to power again, Punjab as well as the entire nation could face a "crisis".

Addressing an election rally in the heartland Malwa -- where Mr Kejriwal has campaigned extensively -- PM Modi said AAP was an "outsider" that was "dreaming of creating its own world" at the cost of Punjab.

Punjab, he said, shares borders with Pakistan, which is "eagerly awaiting a chance to use Punjab to destroy India". This is why the election of a government was a crucial matter in Punjab, he said.  "If a dheeli-dhaali (non-serious) government comes, a government of outsiders is formed, and a government of those who lead luxurious lifestyle comes... not only the people of Punjab will suffer, but the entire nation will have to face a crisis," he said.

The election of Punjab is not just a matter of choosing a state government, but the fate of the country is also linked with it, he said. "It (AAP) is eager to create its own world at the cost of the state. Those who are having such dreams should be sent back to Delhi from where they come," he said.

AAP is hoping to make huge gains in Punjab, where the Akali-BJP government, which has been in power for a decade, is facing anti-incumbency. While the BJP is carrying out a high voltage campaign involving not just the Prime Minister but also a host of other Union ministers, AAP is replicating the door-to-door, grassroot-level campaign that had given dividends in Delhi.

The Malwa region has the largest number of seats -- 69 of the state's 117. Mosyt of the state's political heavyweights contest from here - Congress's Captain Amarinder Singh and BJP's JJ Singh from Patiala, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from Lambi, Sukhbir Badal from Jalalabad and others.