In Bengaluru, Amit Shah attacks Congress for ‘emboldening radical elements in Karnataka’
Amit Shah held the roadshow in support of Bangalore South BJP candidate Tejasvi Surya who is up against Congress’s Soumya Reddy.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP's sitting MP from Bangalore South Tejaswi Surya during the roadshow in Bengaluru. (Express Photo)During a massive roadshow in Bengaluru, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday slammed the ruling Congress government in Karnataka over the law and order situation days after the daughter of a ruling party councillor Neha Hiremath was killed in Hubballi.
The roadshow for Bangalore South sitting MP and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Tejasvi Surya in Bommanahalli came three days ahead of the polling date in Karnataka. Shah’s roadshow also coincided with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi’s campaign which was held a few kilometres away at HSR Layout.
“The chief minister’s inaction in addressing law and order is emboldening radical elements across the state to attack innocent citizens,” Shah said, criticising the Congress for what he said was its support of organisations linked to extremist activities and underscoring the BJP’s commitment to law and order.
Neha Hiremath, the daughter of Congress Councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Niranjan Hiremath, was stabbed to death allegedly by her former classmate, Fayaz Khodunaik on April 18. The police arrested Khodunaik within hours of the incident and the case has been handed over to Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Shah’s roadshow was overwhelmed with slogans cheering for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangalore South BJP candidate Tejasvi Surya, who is seeking a second term.
“After the DJ Halli and KG Halli riots a couple of years ago, I met Amit Shah and requested the establishment of an NIA office in Bengaluru. The NIA office has significantly bolstered our counter-terrorism efforts. The investigation into The Rameshwaram Cafe blast case is being spearheaded by them,” said Surya.
Surya, who is contesting against Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy from the Bangalore South Lok Sabha seat, also said the Union Ministry of Home Affairs funded the Safe City project in Bengaluru with an outlay of Rs 2,840 crore to boost the city’s security.
The Patidar family hailing from Kutch in Gujarat welcomed Shah with a banner that read ‘Patidar family welcomes you to Bangalore South’ in Gujarati. Speaking to The Indian Express, Arshad Patidar, who runs a plywood and timber business in Bengaluru said, “Amit Shah visiting Bommanahalli is a big deal for the Gujarati community in Bengaluru. In Bommanahalli alone, there are about 2000 Gujaratis. It is great to see Amit ji visiting our neighbourhood.”
Dinesh Kumar, a techie who was at the roadshow said, “I don’t think roadshows translate into votes. People have already decided who to vote for. I believe the BJP should crack down on corruption within the party and by party leaders. Just a few cabinet ministers being clean is not sufficient. Moreover, the BJP should stop supporting social elements that promote casteism, especially in rural areas. They should work on bringing caste equality”.
Ashish Jain, who will vote for the first time in the Lok Sabha election, said, “The BJP government has performed well in displaying a strong foreign policy, boosting road and other infrastructure projects and tapping the technology the right way. However, I still believe that the government should address the job crisis that is affecting many youngsters in the city.”
The Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be held on April 26 and May 7 in Karnataka, during the second and third phases respectively. The votes will be counted on June 4.
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