Karnataka Assembly elections 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Karnataka. (File)
With less than a week left for the Karnataka Assembly elections, BJP has intensified its electoral battle through intensive campaigns across the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday morning addressed a rally at Chitradurga, where he accused the Congress of distorting history as part of a conspiracy to divide society. He also flayed the Siddaramaiah-led government in the state for celebrating the “jayantis of Sultans” for the sake of “vote bank politics”.BJP president Amit Shah, who addressed a rally at Belagavi, also launched a scathing attack on the CM, accusing him of being anti-farmer.
Modi is likely to hold three more public meetings in Raichur, Jamakhandi and Hubli later in the day. The elections have been slated for May 12 while counting votes will be held on May 15.
Karnataka Elections 2018: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a campaign rally in Badami constituency on Saturday. (Express Photo/Aaron Pereira)
There were just two companies of mobile manufacturing under UPA, today under NDA there are 120 companies manufacturing mobile in India, and this is oir strength of providing jobs. We are moving ahead with the agenda of development.
The work for laying optical fibre began in 2011 under the government of UPA led by Sonia Gandhi, in three years till 2014 they could lay the network in just 59 village. When we came to power, me made a new stratefy and we have connected 1 lakh villages with the network.
Modi said that I dont want anyone in this country to lag behind, and everyone willl get an opposrtunity to come forward. Every poor living in village should get information and knowledge and therefore we have started the work of laying optical fibre across country. here were around 18,000 villages which did not have electricity since independence. We ensured power to all such villages in a time frame of just 1000 days. Now through the Saubhagya Yojana, we want to ensure power supply in every household:
We want to build a New India where children get good education, youth get jobs, elderly get proper healthcare and where there is no discrimination on the lines of caste, PM Modi in Hubli.
Congress leaders are caught with large stashes of cash and when our Government takes action, they keep on saying that Modi is vindictive. Congress President and Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji must answer people why they are out on 'Zamaanat.
Modi says, "now its your responsibility, dont be patient till May 12 and this CM should know that he cheated the people of Bagalkot and its time to punish him, dont let this opportunity pass."
PM Modi targets Rahul Gandhi on mocking the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign and says, while we focus on educating girls and empowering women, you mock us. Modi said that women empowerment is not just a slogan for them, they are continuously striving for it.
PM Modi says the CM has come to Bagalkot running from some where else and urges people to ask Siddaramaiah "Did he or did he not promise to make a textile park in Bagalkot in the previous election campaign," if he is unable to answer send him back. Modi to loud chants asks, "did he make textile park in Bagalkot?" to a rousing no from the crowd. Modi says, "how can lier make an entry in bagalkot, throw him out asks Modi."
Look at the plight of sugarcane farmers in the Karnataka. The Congress government and the present Chief Minister is insensitive towards them. They did nothing for their welfare. To ensure farmer welfare, we have brought the most comprehensive Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana PM
'We celebrate Birth Anniversaries of about 30 leader, saints, & builders of Karnataka. PM with eyes on the votes is trying to polarise our society by highlighting one of them: Tipu Sultan. Now who is doing “vote bank politics?”
'Poor
@AmitShah you are so desperate. Nothing is working. Tippu, Pakistan etc. do not help you. Tell us about how you betrayed people of North Karnataka after promising to resolve Mahadayi. Basavanna has said “don’t tell lies.” But the#shahoflies cant help himself!'People of Karnataka are well aware of Congress' thinking towards Bhagwaan Basaveshwara. They are only recalling His name as elections are nearing. It was during Atal Ji's leadership, that a statue of Bhagwaan Basaveshwara was put up in the Parliament: Modi
I urge people of Karnataka to remain vigilant and beware of the divisive politics of the Congress. We will not accept any division of Karnataka on the grounds of caste. In a democracy, to win or to lose is a part of elections. One must accept their defeat. But the Congress are 'Naamdaars'. They did not congratulate us, the 'Kaamdaars'.
"We will not let Congress divide Karnataka, it is immortal," says PM Modi in Jamakhandi. Challenges Congress to wake up from slumber. "The people of Karnataka will divide the people playing the game of seperatism in the state," says Modi.
"The Congress duo of mother and son did not like when a Dalit was appointed President, Maidam Sonia Gandhi did not get time for a courtsey call to the President till today. These people dont have the common courtsey and they talk about Dalits."
"Bagalkot is the land of the brave. People from this land fought for independence, We are proud of all those who sacrificed their lives for our country but sadly, a few people feel uncomfortable when they hear the National Song."
"People of Congress get fever on hearing about nationalism," said PM Modi in Jamakhandi and added that can someone even imagine that after independence Congress has started blessing those people who raised slogans of "Desh tere tukde tukde karenge." They even do the sin of asking questions to the Army after the sucessfully conducte Surgical Strikes in pakistan.
PM Modi addressing third rally of the day in Karnataka's Jamakhandi said, "I can see that it is very difficult for Congress to save themselves in the state, after losing across the country." Modi said that Sriramulu who is contensting against the incumbent CM assured him that Siddaramaiah is losing.
"When Sonia Gandhi's government was in power, LED bulb used to be sold at Rs 350. Now under our government, the bulbs are being sold at Rs 50. On what were the remaining Rs 350 being spent?" PM Modi asked.
Senior BJP leader and Home Minister Rajnath Singh also took part in a bike rally in Chickpet on Sunday.
"Congress owes an explanation to the nation on why it is not letting the Parliament function. Anti-Dalit & anti-OBC mindset of the Congress are the reasons why the party is stalling Parliament meetings and not allowing the creation of the OBC commission."
"The Karnataka government must give an account of the work they have done for the people of the state. Instead all they do is - Modi, Modi, Modi. They just keep abusing me," Modi said.
"Raichur is a land of learning, culture and civility. Congress has picked up none of these virtues. If they had learnt from the land of Raichur, they would not be dividing Karnataka," Modi said.
"There are many people who are sitting in AC rooms and saying that there will be a hung assembly. I want to tell them - Come here to Raichur and see the mood on the ground," Modi told the crowd.
PM Modi arrives at Raichur and will address the gathering shortly.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala took to Twitter to hit out at the BJP over its "step-motherly treatment" towards Karnataka. "Backstabbing Karnataka- is the only mission of the BJP. In brazen 'Step Motherly Treatment’ & ‘Snatching Rightful Due’ to Karnataka,the Modi Govt,in the past 4 years has deliberately neglected its people’s shares of the Central Schemes & Projects," he posted on the micro-blogging site.
The BJP chief added, "Under 13th Finance Commission, Karnataka got Rs 88,583 crore which was increased to Rs 2,19,506 crore under the Modi government. Yeddyurappa will ensure that the money received from the Centre reaches people of Karnataka."
"Once we are voted to power, we will ensure that the water from Mahadayi river is available to everyone. Siddaramaiah govt is anti-farmer. More than 3,500 farmers have committed suicide in the last five years in Karnataka," he said.
"The Congress must start counting their days. On May 15, Yeddyurappa is ready to form the government," Shah said.
Attacking Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Shah said, "How can someone who always runs away, help his CM candidate win the elections?"
BJP chief Amit Shah begins addressing the crowd at Yellamma in Belagavi district. He said, "I thank you for joining the rally in this heat only to extend your support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi."
On Monday, Modi will address the Yuva Morcha Karyakartas of Karnataka at 9 am via the NaMo app.
Hitting out at Siddaramaiah, Modi said, "The Karnataka CM carries character certificates with him. Each time a minister faces charges, the CM issues a character certificate, absolving the corrupt minister of all charges."
"Congress does not care about 'Dil' (people's hearts and feelings) or Dalits. They only care about deals. If they cannot do anything for the welfare of the people, then they should be bidding farewell," Modi said.
"I want to assure dalits and deprived that I am one of them. I am committed to your welfare and security. Ours is a compassionate government, devoted to serving society with great diligence," Modi told the crowd.
"Yeddyurappa and Kumaraswamy are both claiming that they'll come to power. If you look at BJP's track records, they haven't won a seat in many crucial constituencies. Congress will come back to power in Karnataka with full majority," Siddaramaiah said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is addressing the media in Bengaluru, hit out at the BJP. He said, "If BJP’s callous statements on Karnataka were even remotely true, why would we be the No. 1 state in attracting investments for two years in a row?"
The PM added, "Congress is obviously uncomfortable today because the highest offices of the land are occupied by people from poor and humble backgrounds. That is why the party now prefers to mislead in the name of the Dalit community."
"Nijalingappa ji, the proud son of this land, was insulted by one family who cannot tolerate independent leaders emerging in the Party. Nijalingappa ji committed the crime of questioning some of the policies from the time of Pandit Nehru," Modi said.
"Congress humiliated Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. They never accepted Dr. Ambedkar. It is in their nature to insult every leader. They ruled India for 70 years but look at the condition of the farmers. We are working to end the Congress' sins," he said.
"Congress plays divide and rule politics. Because of vote bank politics, they are celebrating Tipu Jayanti," Modi said.
Continuing his attack on Congress, Modi said, "Congress has insulted many for one family. Just because of vote bank politics, they are celebrating Jayantis of Sultans. Congress has insulted the people of Chitradurga."
"Congress is a party who is always ready to play with the emotions of the people. The party has played with the emotions of the people here. We cannot forgive them for doing this. Congress changes history for votes," he said.
"This land of Chitradurga is synonymous with the Mantra of - Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and Jai Vigyaan. This land is prone to drought but the farmers here have been innovating and turning adversities into opportunities," Modi said.