Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
Journalism of Courage
This is an archive article published on December 30, 2022
In Karnataka, Amit Shah sounds poll bugle, says Congress, JD(S) corrupt
At the Jana Sankalpa Yatra in Mandya, considered a bastion of the JD(S) and the Congress, Shah accused the two parties of hampering the region’s progress with corruption.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressing a rally in Mandya, Karnataka. (Photo: Twitter/@AmitShah)
Listen to this article
In Karnataka, Amit Shah sounds poll bugle, says Congress, JD(S) corrupt
x
00:00
Union Home Minister Amit Shah Friday described the Congress and JD(S) as “communal, casteist and criminal” at a rally in Mandya, seen as the launch of the ruling BJP’s campaign for the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls.
At the Jana Sankalpa Yatra in Mandya, considered a bastion of the JD(S) and the Congress, Shah accused the two parties of hampering the region’s progress with corruption. “We will push Karnataka further into the path of progress. Both the parties are communal, casteist and are filled with criminals,” he said.
“The people of Mandya and the Mysuru region have provided ample opportunities to these two parties. This time, we have to give a majority to the BJP in the region,” Shah said, adding that the parties had done nothing for the region.
The BJP is trying to make inroads into the districts of the region which has a large Vokkaliga population and has traditionally been dominated by the JD(S) and the Congress.
“We have seen their rule. When the Congress comes to power, it becomes an ATM for Delhi. When JD(S) comes to power, it will become the ATM of a family,” he said, referring to the Gandhi family and the Deve Gowda family, respectively.
Explained
Party focus on region
The BJP is considered weak in the Vokkaliga-dominated Old Mysuru region, and has been focusing on this belt for the 2023 polls. In the 2018 polls, the BJP won one seat in Hassan. In the 2019 bypolls, it won the K R Pet seat, its first victory in Mandya district, and Chikkballapur, another first. In the 2020 bypolls, it bagged Sira in Tumakuru district.
Shah also talked about the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya and the ban on Popular Front of India (PFI). Announcing January 1, 2024, as the date of the inauguration of the temple, Shah urged the people of the old Mysore region to attend the event in large numbers.
He accused the Congress of delaying the temple construction by “ensuring” that the matter was caught in litigation.
Story continues below this ad
“While Siddaramaiah withdrew cases filed against PFI workers, we banned the organisation and sent them to jail,” he said.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also targeted the JD(S) and the Congress and said they had not been able to ensure the people’s welfare despite winning from there consistently.
“In May 2023, the BJP will definitely return to power. We know the pulse of the people of south Karnataka,” he said, promising to transform the region into “Suvarana (golden) Karnataka”.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Advertisement
Loading Recommendations...
Advertisement
Live Blog
Advertisement