Karnataka election: Ashok Gehlot targets PM Modi for Nepal temple visits, says ploy to ‘influence voters’

Calling it a bad trend for democracy, Gehlot said, “Modi planned to visit Nepal today because there is model code of conduct in Karnataka.”

The AICC general secretary said PM Modi, through his temple visits, was giving out a message to voters in Karnataka of how religious he was and that he was a Hindu. “If one asks him (Modi), no other person is Hindu, except the BJP and RSS people, besides him and Amit Shah,” he said.

Narendra Modi, who is currently on a two-day visit to Nepal to strengthen Indo-Nepal ties, visited Muktinath temple on Saturday and offered prayers.

Read | Modi in Nepal: PM visits iconic Muktinath temple, first world leader to offer prayers there

Modi greeted and interacted with the crowd at both Janakpur and Muktinath after visiting temples. He also held a one-on-one meeting with Nepalese Prime Minister KP Oli followed by marathon delegation-level talks on all aspects of the bilateral relationship on Friday.

Karnataka continues to vote: Follow LIVE UPDATES 

Meanwhile, in Karnataka, 56 per cent voter turnout has been recorded till 3 pm. The Congress looks to repeat its 2013 victory — it had won 120 seats in the House — while the BJP hopes to recover lost ground. The Congress has picked incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to lead its campaign, while the BJP has chosen B S Yeddyurappa as its CM candidate.

(With PTI inputs)

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